Sura's voice came from the path above the riverbank like a blade finding a gap in armor—sharp and without ceremony.
She appeared at the slope's edge and came down it fast, her boots finding purchase on the wet ground with automatic competence.
Deva and Nila came down behind her, close together; they all seemed to be in a hurry and moved with tension.
Jake moved a little back from Keva.
Sura's eyes moved between them with rapid assessment.
She didn't know who Keva was but was confused as to why she was standing close to him. Though she wanted to ask what was going on, the urgency of her situation made her ignore it.
Then she quickly said, "We got caught, Jake. They found out we are humans from the clan."
"Beast soldiers are moving through the market quarter," Deva said, cutting across.
"Formation movement, not patrol. Someone identified us. They're working toward the settlement's eastern edge."
