"Take her. Leave the others. They are not our concern."
'Damn it', veer gritted his teeth.
"No!" Veer's voice, hoarse and desperate. "Don't you dare—"
But strong hands were already lifting Kaya, pulling her away from her companions. She struggled weakly, but her body wouldn't cooperate, wouldn't respond to her commands.
"Kaya!" Cutie's voice, high and panicked. "Kaya, no!"
She tried to call back to them, tried to tell them she'd find a way back, tried to say anything, but the darkness was closing in.
The last thing she saw before unconsciousness claimed her was Veer's amber eyes, filled with fury and helplessness, as the eagle beastmen carried her away into the storm.
---
Warmth.
That was the first thing Kaya registered as consciousness slowly returned.
Warmth and softness beneath her. And the faint scent of... incense? Something herbal and pleasant.
Her eyes opened slowly, reluctantly.
