She was drowning in air.
“Alena!” Leywani dropped to her side. “Breathe! Look at me—just breathe!” She guided Alena’s head between her knees, one hand stroking her back as tremors wracked her body. “It’s all right. Slow, deep breaths. In… and out.”
Her voice was a steady anchor in the storm. Alena clung to it, forcing air into her lungs—sharp, shallow gasps at first, then gradually deeper, steadier.
Time blurred. When the panic finally loosened its grip, she raised her head.
Apollo was curled at her feet, warm eyes fixed on her. He rested his head on her boots, a silent sentinel. Alena reached down and scratched behind his ears, drawing comfort from his steady presence.
“Phoebe wrapped San and carried her out,” Leywani said softly. “The boy went with her.”
“We have to… go with them,” Alena mumbled, trying to rise. Her knees buckled, and she sank back down. “We have to leave.”
“You’re not going anywhere like this.” Leywani pressed a warm bowl of soup into her trembling hands. “Eat. The soldiers are still distracted by the fire. You’ve got a little time.”
Alena didn’t have the strength to argue. She clutched the bowl and sipped slowly. The broth warmed her, dulling the tremors.
Leywani returned with a cup of water and settled beside her. The soup was gone before Alena even realised it, her mind still stuck on San’s lifeless form and Kaixo’s cries.
Shouts carried from outside—soldiers, distant and frantic.
“The workers have returned from their shift,” Leywani said, taking the bowl and replacing it with the cup. “Along with their guards. Be careful when you slip out.”
The cup froze halfway to Alena’s lips. “You’re not coming with me?”
Leywani’s expression didn’t waver. “I can’t leave the others. They need me.”
“No…” Alena shook her head, voice cracking. “Ley, you can’t stay. Please.”
But Leywani took her hand, grip steady despite her thin frame. “Alena, listen to me.” Her voice held the same determined fire Alena had heard dozens of times in Camp Bessi. “You’ve cracked this camp open. The soldiers are scattered, afraid. The slaves are restless. This could be our only chance.”
Alena’s eyes burned with fresh tears. “Then come with us. We can regroup. Fight together.”
“Scylas is gathering the others. But you need to go.”
“Ley—”
“You’ve done your part,” Leywani pressed. “Now let us do ours.” She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from Alena’s face with a tenderness that only made it harder to hold back tears. Her smile was faint, fragile. “If anything were to happen to you, I’d never forgive myself. And neither would Kat.”
Alena lowered her gaze, the cup cold and empty in her hands. At the mention of her sister, a familiar ache coiled tight in her chest. “She left.”
Leywani’s brow furrowed. “Who, Kat?”
Apollo padded closer, pressing his head against Alena’s leg. She set the cup aside, her throat thick around the words she could barely admit.
“She joined a Rasennan legion,” she said. “She’s one of them now.”
Leywani went still. Then her voice hardened. “By the Moon… Kat’s the one who told the Rasennans about us. About the camps.”
Alena recoiled. “What? No, she wouldn’t.”
“The Freefolk were left alone for decades,” Leywani countered, eyes narrowing. “Why did the legions come for us once Kat joined them? The timing can’t be a coincidence.”
“I…” Alena’s voice caught, disbelief clawing at her. Katell would never betray her own people. “She wouldn’t?—”
Her words were swallowed by heavy footsteps outside. Leywani’s face drained of colour, and she yanked Alena to her feet. “Soldiers—go! Now!”
Alena grabbed her sword belt, stumbling after her.
