Chapter 156
Ariana woke because of the voices outside.
At first she stayed still, half asleep and disoriented, listening to the low sounds carrying through the trees surrounding the house. Morning light filtered weakly through the windows, pale enough to make the room feel cold, and for a brief moment she almost convinced herself that the previous night had been a dream.
Then she heard the voices again.
There were too many of them.
She lifted her head immediately and saw that Kael was already awake.
He stood near the window, shoulders tense beneath his dark shirt while he watched the clearing outside. The moment he realized she was awake, his attention shifted toward her, though the tension in his expression did not ease.
"You should stay here," he said quietly.
Ariana sat up slowly, brushing hair away from her face. "You say that every time something goes wrong."
"This time I mean it."
The seriousness in his voice made her chest tighten.
