Aria’s PovThe forest felt different at night.Not hostile.Just… watchful.The moon hung low, its light seeping through the trees as I walked the eastern patrol route alone. My boots crunched softly against the fallen leaves, every sound heightened in the quiet. I kept my posture steady, shoulders back, my chin high…like Asher had taught me.But inside, something twisted.Grace’s words replayed in my mind, sharp and final.“You’ll patrol alone tonight, Aria. You’re becoming dependent.”I swallowed and pushed the thought away.I wasn’t weak.I wasn’t a liability.Still… none of the others had ever been sent out alone this deep. Not this far from the borders. Not after sunset.My hand brushed the hilt at my side out of instinct.“You’re fine,” I told myself.“You’re safe.”The bond pulsed faintly in my chest…warm, distant. I could feel them, all of them, Too far to hear clearly. Too far to reach.A branch snapped somewhere to my left.I froze.Heart pounding, I scanned the trees, sense
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