It took Emery hours to realize they weren't coming home. They been gone for more than twenty hours if she was counting correctly.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a cold glow over the island. Lir and Tyr were nowhere to be seen.
It was unusual. They often spent long hours outside, but never this long.
A nauseating feeling churned in her gut, something was wrong.
Minutes passed, and the dinner she'd prepared grew cold under the dim candlelight.
Smoke from the extinguished fire dissipated into the night.
Her patience waned as she sat in silence, ears straining for footsteps, only to hear the incessant chirping of crickets.
Finally, she couldn't wait any longer. Pushing to her feet, she grabbed her cloak and headed into the night to find them.
Her footsteps were nearly silent as she wove through the dark forest. Over time, she had learned the island's paths, the twists and turns of every route, every hidden alcove, every hunting ground.
