The soldiers found the hollow faster than we expected.
One of them dropped down into the ravine and shone a light straight under the roots. The beam caught the edge of Vale's boot.
"They're here!"
Everything turned loud and ugly at once.
Vale kicked the light out of his hand and drove her knife up into the soft place under his jaw before he could shout again. Blood hit the water. The rest of the group outside opened fire. Binding light tore into the roots. Dirt and wood exploded around us.
We had no clean way out.
I shoved Elizabeth and Feng Lan toward the far side where the earth had partially collapsed. Seraphina dragged Lydia. Vale and I stayed long enough to throw the dead soldier's body into the opening so the next man had to climb over him. Then we ran.
There was no clever path this time. No second perfect hiding place waiting for us. Just the dark ravine, wet stones, and soldiers pouring in behind us.
We ran hard.
