The walls of the den vibrated slightly as the war outside grew even hotter, the vibrations mostly coming from the thermal cannon, but inside the private quarters, the air remained warm and heavily scented with familiar, comforting firewood.
Hana didn't stop to catch her breath. Her eyes immediately locked onto the dark-wood cot positioned safely at the center of the reinforced room.
Sitting right beside it on a low stool was Mina, her white snow leopard ears pinned tightly against her head in sheer anxiety, her hands gripping a small bone dagger.
The young girl jumped nearly a foot into the air when Hana walked in, her chest heaving with a sharp, terrified gasp until she recognized the sleek, dark clothing of her commander.
"Miss Hana!" Mina whispered frantically, scrambling to her feet. "The noise... the ground is shaking so much! Is the valley—"
