Elias was a child who rarely wandered far without someone noticing, which was why the alarm that swept through Ravenmoon hit like a crashing tidal wave. It started with a horrified scream from one of the patrolling warriors, then the sound of frantic footsteps, then Rowan's voice booming across the mind-link for all units to mobilize.
Lucien was the first to reach the forest. The scent of poison was unmistakable, sharp and metallic in the air, clinging to the fallen leaves. His vision tunneled. His heart wasn't beating. It was slamming, each strike like a roar.
"Elias?" Lucien's voice dropped to a growl. "Elias!"
No answer.
Branches snapped behind him. Servants? Warriors? He didn't care. He pushed deeper into the trees, lungs heaving as he stretched his senses.
Then he froze.
A tiny body lay crumpled beside the roots of an old oak tree, unmoving.
Elias.
Lucien's breath shattered.
