ATASHA’S POV


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    “From the border of the Crimson Howlers Pack to this sector…” Mendez’s finger traced a line across the map spread out between us. “The route is covered in dense forest from start to finish. The ground is already soft from recent rains, and if the clouds keep gathering, the soil will turn heavier, making it harder for our people to move quickly.”


    He tapped a section marked between two jagged icons. “Here–this gap between the cliffs–is where the biggest threat lies. The Demon Fangs are expected to push through here. The cliffs on either side give them the advantage of high ground, meaning they can strike from above while their main force engages head–on. And with the forest closing in behind us, they could drive a second wave in from the rear, effectively trapping us in a kill zone.”


    Mendez’s gaze shifted between Lieutenant Rio, Lieutenant Lucas, and Lieutenant Grace, who had joined us. “This is where we split,” he said, tapping the map. “Each of you will take a group from this sector and guide them through until we clear the cliffs.”


    “They believe we’re injured,” Rio said. “Wouldn’t that make them drop their guard?”


    “Wrong,” Cassian’s voice cut in, firm and absolute. “The Demon Fangs aren’t careless. They’re predators who savor the kill. They’ll want us broken, drag it out, make us beg before they finish it.” His hand came down hard on the mark between the cliffs. “This is where they’ll force ast stand. Augustus and the others will be ensuring that the kids are safe while you… you will be the ones who will hunt the ones thinking they are the hunters.”


    The words settled like stone between us. Momentster, Cassian dismissed them from the carriage, sending each to prepare their own teams.


    We had already left Crimson Howlers Pack and were pushing toward the edge of their territory. Until the very moment we crossed the border, Alpha Jason kept up his cordial facade, showing none of the malice behind the poison he’d unleashed on us the night before.


    After the others left, Cassian’s attention shifted to me. “Do you know how to ride a horse?”


    “I do,” I answered, then hesitated. “I mean… I used to. Before.” In truth, I hadn’t ridden since failing to awaken. There’d been no need to ride one, gathering firewood and herbs never required a horse.


    “No matter,” he said as he stood, extending his hand toward me. “You’ll be riding with me anyway.”


    “We’re… not staying in the carriage?” I asked.


    Cassian’s lips curved into a calm smile. “We will not. We’re taking a separate path.”


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    I nodded. There wasn’t much room to argue. We pulled on our cloaks, and once we crossed the border of Crimson Howlers territory, Cassian led a single horse toward the open trail. He mounted first, then pulled me up in front of him with one hand, settling me against his chest before taking the reins.


    The horse moved at a steady pace, not slow enough to be casual, but not hurried either. The open stretch ahead looked almost peaceful, which only made me wonder why we had broken away from the others.


    “Where are we going?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the empty path ahead.


    “The others can handle themselves,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument, as if the matter was already settled. It still wasn’t the answer I was looking for.


    After a pause, he leaned in slightly. “Consort… do you like burning things?”


    “Ha?” I blinked, my mind shing back to the fire that had consumed the cave.


    “Since I was a child, fire has always… fascinated me.”


    I didn’t know what to say. Fire can be very… very dangerous and painful but the burn marks heal all the same under my ability. “Fires can be very destructive,” I said, careful not to say something that he wouldn’t like.


    Cassian’s tone shifted, carrying an edge of excitement that hadn’t been there before. “Fire,” he said, almost like it was a prize to be imed. “Can consume everything in its path. Wood, stone, flesh, it doesn’t discriminate. It swallows what it touches and leaves nothing behind but ash. A single spark can turn order into chaos, and in that chaos… people make mistakes.”


    I stayed still in front of him, the leather reins creaking in his hands as the horse carried us forward. He went on. “It spreads faster than you think. It doesn’t just destroy, it takes the air from your lungs, blinds you, traps you. And once it starts, there is no reasoning with it. Fire doesn’t stop until there’s nothing left to burn.”


    I wasn’t sure how to respond. I simply listened, my thoughts caught between the way he spoke of it, as if it were an ally and the memory of the mes I’d seen before.


    It felt like he talked about fire for a long time, describing its reach, its power, and how it could change the oue of a fight before a single de was drawn. Eventually, the trees began to thin, and the ground leveled out. The sound of running water reached my ears just as the horse came to a halt.


    We had stopped at the edge of a cliff. From here, I could see the stretch of dark forest below, with a river cutting through it like a winding scar. Cassian dismounted first, then turned to lift me down. His grip was firm as he set me on my feet.


    :


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    “We camp


    here tonight,” he said, scanning the horizon as if mapping every detail in his mind. Then his gaze shifted back to me, and his next words were low but certain. “And once the sun sets… we make them pay. Everyst one of them.”


    “You mean… we are going back to the Crimson Howlers Pack?” I asked.


    “Not just them…” he said, smiling.


    I frowned, my eyes fixed on the curve of his lips. He looked like he was enjoying every moment of this.


    Not just them?


    The words echoed in my head. My mind went to the rumors I’d heard about Cassian. People said he was petty, vindictive, and cruel. That even the King tread carefully around him, afraid of what might happen if he took offense. There was the story about a councilman, how Cassian had him killed over a single insult. I’d never known how much of that was true, but looking at him now, I couldn’t dismiss all of it as lies.


    The Demon Fangs had attacked us more than once. Alpha Jason had tried to poison us in our own camp. Rumors or not, I couldn’t imagine Cassian sitting idle after that.


    The smile on his face didn’t fade. If anything, it sharpened. “Tonight,” he said, the words rolling out like a promise. “We burn them all.”


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