Chapter 31 Ashes, Echoes, and Eyes That Burn

Darkness had a scent-like wet stone, like forgotten fires.

Adelabu stirred beneath the weight of silence. His body was pinned beneath the shattered rocks of the cave. Dust clung to his lashes, blood crusted in his hair, and somewhere in his chest, a slow-burning ache reminded him that he still lived.

His first thought was not of escape.

It was of