orn. They sat side by side on the moss-covered stone wall overlooking the valley, the

rough edges of the stone beneath hi

wonder if I'm a ghost already - wandering

sorrow and understanding in her e

ly, "but ghosts can st

bitter curve of his lips.

gainst his cold skin. "You are not alone in t

rld seemed to hold i

e quiet - a child's frightened scr

feet, heart poundin

e darkened.

d torn through the village like a jagged knife, and Kael's heart thrummed with urgency as he and Elira sprinted toward the sourc

eir faces etched with alarm and fear,

and wide-eyed. His gaze was fixed on the shadow that loomed just beyond the

inary creature, there was something unnatural about it-the fa

e calm but firm. "Everyone, bac

usly as Kael approached the wolf, muscl

, low and menaci

of training, sidestepping the strike and

he swung, the wolf vanished-dissolving into sh

ge held i

ched the darknes

ered, "this is no

a familiar-a servant of

r ran down K

message from the shadows

flickering fire cast long shadows on the

is dark hair, frustration

ked bitterly. "This curse, this magic-it's

s the table, her ha

minded him. "And the magic you face...

erce determination that had carried he

t I need to

t a fragile parchment covered

explained. "It could weaken the curse's

kened. "What ki

e a whisper. "Something precio

the weight of the c

lost, some things

coured the forest for rare herbs, while Kael studied the ancient t

d secret, every stolen glance, ever

ing with stars, Elira placed a

ready?" s

rce light of resolve

le hidden deep in the forest-a place where t

r, the scent of moss and da

, her voice steady, weaving

wist and recoil, like

rp and blinding-but he grit

led, and for a moment, the wo

from Elira's lips, a hus

the ice beneath his skin had soft

gratitude and awe

it," he

s a shadow-an unspoken warning t