The walk back to Elaris Village was, unsurprisingly, quiet.
Perhaps too quiet.
Liam walked ahead at a relaxed pace, his hands resting casually at his sides while the forest around them gradually became darker. The moon had already risen above the trees, casting pale light through the branches and painting the path with scattered patches of silver. Irina followed beside him, but unlike earlier, she didn't say a single word. She hadn't said much since they had left the mountain, and Liam had noticed it almost immediately. Normally, Irina would have found something to complain about, especially when Liam was involved. She might have criticized his decisions, questioned his methods or simply thrown an irritated comment at him for no reason at all.
Tonight, nothing.
She was completely silent.
Liam glanced toward her several times.
There was something strange about her.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it.
