thick, like the whole world had noticed something was off. Vaela stumbled back from the door, trying to catch her breath. Her hand still tingle

on the mist-shrouded forest around them. "Something's mo

asked, her hand instinctiv

ed, shaking hi

ground shifted under them-a slight tremor, like the forest itself was taking a deep breath. Suddenly, energy crac

Vaela whispered, dread

ning scream sliced through the tree

e sound. Something was com

st, urgency in his v

ping against their arms and faces. Behind them, something crashed through the trees-massive,

ely, almost like they were dodging the force that was coming after them. T

Kael s

oot burst from the ground, thrashing like a snake bef

opping of rocks, hidden behind a tangle of ivy. Kael pulle

lence, listening hard. No sounds

ntly glowing in the dim light. "You t

saw something. A throne. A man with si

ael looked shaken. "T

sank. "You k

of shadow and power, sealed away centuries ago by magic

he said, realization set

guarded. Instead, it was fear. "No," h

p. Whatever was stalking them was still out

ker than it had been, and all the birds had vanished. Even the

traps and listening to the forest. Vaela followed closely behind, her mind racing w

he strange hum that lin

fast-flowing stream sliced through the middle. Vaela knelt, splashing cold water

Kael said suddenly, br

er face, her heart ra

, "but not a beast

through the trees. "You're

her dagger, ready fo

ar running down his cheek. But it was his eyes that struck

a mix of surprise and r

ned next to

uickly, lowering her d

h sadness. "I'm not sure I c

not far from the stream, and as Vaela sat across from him, she tried to ga

here, Rowan

aze intense. "Something dark woke up. It ec

Kael's eyes. "You're

out flinching. "And so

t charged w

nto a fight. "Enough. We're all involved

Kael. "He hasn't told

ve?" Kael s

aela stepped between

a heavy silence fell

k to Draven-his rejection, that cruel voice, the humiliation

hate

d thought. She had begged him for answe

herself. "I'm done being weak.

calm but firm.

oken passed between them. Whatever came next, Vaela understo

ve. Strong enough to n

ssed her path again...She

oved with purpose. Far behind them, de

was stirring, and i