“She could’ve just been unwell,” he said gently. “You don’t know how much of that was—”
“I saw something,” I cut in. “After she... after it happened. There was a shadow. It came out of her., slithered out of her body like it had been inside her the whole time.”
“A shadow?” he repeated.
“I don’t know what else to call it.” I said shaking my head. “I don’t know what it was or what it means. But that night by the cave, when you two were asleep... I went back to the water.”
His eyes widened.
“And it was there,” I said. “The shadow. I think it’s what Aran felt. He said something pulled him under, right? It did the same to me. It wrapped around my legs, and I couldn’t breathe, water was filling my lungs, I couldn’t reach the fire and I panicked.”
I swallowed hard.
“But something else came through me. Something stronger. It cracked through my chest and the shadow shattered. I think I killed it.”
He rubbed his hand over his jaw. “You killed a shadow?”
“I know it sounds insane. That’s why I didn’t tell you. It was using her. Trying to make her kill me. And when she wouldn’t, it tried to do it itself.” ” I stammered. “She’s dead because of me.”
“It wasn’t your fault,” Will said quietly. “Okay? None of this is. And it doesn’t change anything. Not to me. I’m still here. Aran’s still here... for some reason.” He gave a small, tired smile. “And I’m sorry. For everything you’ve been through. For feeling like you couldn’t tell us, and having to carry all of this alone.” His voice dipped lower. “But I’m glad you told me.”
I blinked hard, forcing back the sting behind my eyes. “Do you think I can tell Aran?”
Will tilted his head toward the doorway. “Pretty sure he already heard the whole thing.”
I turned. Aran was leaning against the frame, arms crossed, like he’d been standing there for a while.
“I wasn’ttryingto eavesdrop,” he said. “But, you know. I’ve got ears.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Seriously?”
He shrugged, completely unbothered. “Look, I’m not gonna lie. You’re a freak. And your powers? Scare the hel out of me sometimes.”
My chest tightened.
“But you’re also my friend,” he added, before I could react. “Even if I’m not yours. And you’ve had my back more times than I deserve. So I’ve got yours.”
Then he smirked. “Besides, I’d rather be on your side than the side that gets roasted.”
I stared at him. “So you’re only sticking around so I don’troastyou?”
“Exactly.”
Will shot him a look, but Aran just grinned, unapologetic.
“Kera,” Will said, “if we were afraid of you... don’t you think we would’ve left already?”
Aran snorted. “Just promise not to use me for target practice, and we’re good.”
I let out a soft laugh, too tired to fight it. “I wouldn’t.”
”You’re laughing,” he said, raising an eyebrow. ”So that tells me youwould.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
We left one ghost town behind only to find another. Then another. After the third, I stopped letting myself hope we’d find anything different. Every village was the same. Silent. Empty. Houses stood blackened and hollow, their windows like dark eyes watching us pass. Fields were scorched. The soil brittle and dry. There were no inns. No markets. No farms. No food. We survived by breaking into whatever was left behind. Root cellars, pantries, houses... Most food was already spoiled though. Mold, rot, or rats had gotten there first.
In one of the villages, I found a newspaper. Its pages were crinkled and half-faded, but enough of it was still readable. Maybe it was the reason everyone had left. The headline was clear: The Wall, the border to Alevé, had been closed. There was no way out of Vestance anymore. Even the trade routes were shut down.
