Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
“Interesting.”
A slow clap echoed through the trees as a man stepped out from his hiding place.
“I see that your abilities are working perfectly, just like we anticipated,” he said, smiling too brightly as he watched her with open fascination.
Camelia’s eyes narrowed.
Something about him felt wrong. Not just hostile, but off in a way she could not place. She was certain she had seen him somewhere before, but the memory refused to surface no matter how hard she tried.
“What do you want?” she asked, her voice low.
“He sent me to come get you,” the man said, striding toward her with unhurried steps. “So you’ll have to come with me.”
Her body tensed instantly. She moved back, keeping her distance.
“Who sent you?”
“Does it matter?” he replied, tilting his head to t
