As night fell over the clan, people gathered around the large fire in the center of the village. Torches lit up the paths between the huts, and the smoke from the fire mingled with the smell of fresh bread, spices, and something that smelled like roasted meat.

  I stood a little apart, in the shadows, watching everything. The men wore bearskins, the women draped colorful shawls over their shoulders. Laughter and music floated through the air—drums, flutes, singing. It was like another world, another time. And yet... it didn't feel entirely foreign anymore.

  Niva appeared at my side again, draping a blanket over my shoulders. "You don't have to dance," she said, "but you shouldn't stand alone."

  I gave a small smile. "I'm just trying to take it all in."

  "This is how we live. We celebrate when we survive. And today—we survived. Again."

  Farther away, I spotted Sac sitting on a bench, a thick bandage around his leg. He was talking to Gus and Wics, and though he looked pale, there was a smile on his lips.

  I started walking toward him but froze when an older woman called out, "Sacra is coming!"

  Everyone fell silent. The drums quieted. People moved aside, creating a path as Sacra stepped out from the shadows. She was dressed in dark furs, her staff in hand—the same one adorned with the wolf skull, the moon, and runes carved into the wood. She looked as powerful as the first time I had seen her, but now also... more vulnerable. As if the night's events weighed heavily on her too.

  She raised her hand, and the people bowed their heads in respect.

  "My children," she said with a clear, steady voice. "We are gathered again. Not without wounds, but with hope still alive. One of our bonds fell in battle but rose again. Another remains lost in the forest, but his heart is not lost. And the one who bears the light..." —her eyes found mine— "...is still here. Which means that hope is still here too."

  Everyone turned to me. So many looks. Some kind. Some curious. Some filled with respect. Others with wonder. I wanted to sink into the ground—or maybe step forward.

  "Tonight we celebrate," Sacra continued, "not to forget the darkness, but to remember why we fight against it."

  And as if on cue, the music started again—slowly, softly, then growing more lively. Children ran between the adults, someone lit more fires, and the scent of honey and smoke once again filled the air.

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  I walked slowly toward Sac, who stood as he spotted me.

  "You look alive," he said, trying to smile but wincing.

  "You too—barely."

  We looked at each other for a moment. Then he said quietly, "Will's coming back, Tracy. I know he is."

  I wanted to believe him. I wanted so badly to believe.

  But somewhere deep inside, the heaviness still remained.

  The night had thickened. It was darker than before, even though the fire still burned at the heart of the village. There was something in the air—like electricity before a storm.

  I stood close to Sac, the blanket still over my shoulders, when the sound came.

  A branch snapping.

  People turned. Some stiffened.

  And then I saw him.

  Will.

  He staggered out of the shadows, the snow swirling around his legs. His jacket was torn on one side, blood dried at his temple, and his gaze—so tired—but alive.

  "Will!" I cried and ran forward.

  He looked up, his smile weak but real. "Tracy..." His voice was hoarse, but filled with relief.

  I threw my arms around him before I even had time to think. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

  He placed a heavy hand on my back, as if it took all his strength just to stay standing. "I'm okay," he mumbled, "but we have to go. Now."

  "What do you mean?" I gasped.

  Will looked around quickly. His voice dropped to a whisper. "They're after me. The dark side. They know you're here."

  "What? How—?"

  "No time to explain." He grabbed my hand tightly. "We have to get away. I'm going to hide you."

  "But the others?" I glanced back at Sac and Amelia. "We can't just leave them!"

  "It's you they're after!" he hissed. "If we stay, more people will die. I can't... I can't let that happen."

  And then, just as the first scream echoed across the village, he pulled me with him into the forest.

  We ran. Branches tore at my jacket, snow swirled up and settled like frost in my hair. The sounds from the village grew louder behind us—shouts, chaos, growls. Someone screamed my name.

  "Will!" I gasped. "We have to go back!"

  "NO!" He stopped and turned to face me. His eyes blazed in the darkness. "There are too many. This is the only chance to save you!"

  "But you—!"

  "I'll be fine."

  And without another word, he swept aside fir branches from a hidden opening in the ground—a cave, cold and black.

  "Get in," he ordered. "Quickly."

  I hesitated, but the sounds behind us... they were getting closer. The screams. The blows. Someone crying. Something howling.

  I climbed in.

  Will pulled the branches back over the entrance. Darkness closed around us. Silence fell—but outside, the night continued to burn.

  And I didn't know if we had been saved—

  Or if we had just run away.