Rotting wood.
The scent hits instantly.
My pulse spikes hard enough to hurt.
Flash—
A little girl hiding beneath pews.
A guard dragging her out by the ankle.
I physically stumble.
Clay catches me immediately.
“Easy.”
His voice stays low.
Steady.
But his arm tightens around my waist like he’s ready to carry me back out if I crack apart.
I force myself to breathe.
“You’re okay,” I whisper.
Not sure if I’m talking to myself or him anymore.
Lightning flashes through shattered stained glass overhead.
The church interior blooms blue-white for half a second—
and I see it.
The wall.
Near the old altar.
My heart slams violently.
“There.”
Everyone turns instantly.
Gabriel moves first, sweeping toward the altar while Russ and Lucas spread out to clear the side halls.
Mason stays near the entrance with two survivors from his team.
Clay never leaves my side.
Not even for a second.
We reach the wall.
Peeling paint.
Water damage.
