18
Once again, Tempest and I stand in the Grove before the four Sacred Trees. Every few seconds, the ground trembles. Bits of earth tumble from the ceiling. My heart rate goes at double speed.
We need to finish the job and fast.
I pull the wicker sphere from around my neck and set it onto my palms. “We’re in the Grove now,” I say to the orb. “Where’s the last seedpod?”
The strands of the sphere twist into the massive proportions unique to a Sacred Tree. I run my fingers over the intricate model. “Looks like the seedpod is under one of the trees.”
Tempest nods. “I’ll check them.”
“Thanks. I’d help but I tend to get stuck.”
“No worries.” Tempest tests out the ground beneath each of the trees. At the fourth one, the lines of his shoulders tense. “I think I found it.” He digs into the s
