I woke to Kael's hand on my shoulder. Gentle. But insistent.
Through the window, early dawn light filtered in. Gray. Cold.
The light that came before sunrise.
"It's time?"
"Nearly. You have an hour before they arrive."
"Erica?"
"In the shelter with the other children. Helena guards them personally."
"I need to see her."
"I know. That is why I woke you when I did."
He helped me dress. Armor. Weapons. Each piece feels heavier than it should. Or maybe I was just that tired.
"Eat," he said, pushing bread and dried meat into my hands.
I ate while we walked. Forced it down. Needed the strength.
We went to the shelter together. Underground. Safe. Fortified. Twenty feet of stone and earth between the children and whatever was coming.
Guards at every entrance. Helena had organized it
