Stephanie’s POV:
As soon as my feet touched the uneven cobblestones, a strange sensation washed over me. It was as though the very air here was alive—buzzing with an energy I couldn’t quite describe. It prickled against my skin, making the hairs on my arms stand on end.
“Don’t be nervous,” Lucy whispered, her voice soft but firm, as if sensing my unease. “They’re not as scary as they seem.”
I wasn’t convinced. One of the witches approached us, her dark eyes narrowing as she studied me intently. Her robes were a deep green, blending seamlessly with the forest behind her, and her silver-streaked hair glinted in the dim light, belying her otherwise youthful appearance. She tilted her head, her gaze sharp and assessing, as though she could see right through me.
“You bring an outsider,” she
