The forest swallowed us whole. Tall pines rose like black columns, their branches creaking under the weight of settling dust. Every breath tasted like cold resin and smoke. My heart slammed against my ribs as Nathan pulled Leah up beside me, his arm tight around my waist, holding me upright while still keeping himself between me and the place Asterin had vanished into.
Because he had vanished.
One moment he stood in the clearing behind us.
The next, he stepped into a shadow and was gone.
Felix limped to our side, dragging Ember with him. His face was pale, smeared with dried blood. Every breath he took rattled in his chest. “He is not gone,” Felix rasped. “Do not think he is gone.”
I already knew that.
Because the trees whispered my name.
Soft. Slithering. Coming from everywhere and
