The Boy Who Didn't Belong
For a second, Clara said nothing, her mind turning it over. Then quiet settled around her like dust after footsteps stop.
A sudden hush fell across the branches past where the houses ended, air stirring with a trace of burning mixed with another note - sharp like iron, off somehow. Trees trembled under it.
"Not only that," Victor went on, his golden eyes calm but sharp, "everyone in that village was too calm. If something capable of killing mountain ogres was near my home, people would panic. They'd fortify. They'd prepare. These villagers? They're living normally."
Lane let her eyes drop from the treetops at last. All along, her body had leaned that way - pulled by something unseen, almost trembling with stillness.
"I also have something to report about the villagers," she said quietly.
Her eyes met Victor's gaze. The room fell silent around them.
Clara straightened slightly.
