g. All day, Ellie's cryptic message and Caleb's warning had been bothering me like an unsatisfactory

as oddly quiet in the meadow, as if everyone had stopped to see me. I stooped to take a pi

ic

r than it should have. I ignored the tingle that raced down my spine

ic

small but noticeable glimmer of

be the reflection of a stray glass fragment or the moon catching on dew

me. I moved closer to the jungl

most mesmerizing. I felt as if it drew me in with its soft pulse. The soun

at that

y delicate, as if it belonged in a another era. The focal point was a detailed stone carving of a

ars, I paused. However, the pendant's slightly pulsat

yself, my fingers cur

, but it was electric, like static crackling over my skin. T

ts. A wind rustled the trees, whispering through the bra

I hea

ear grumble, de

e darkness, but all I saw were the unending, gloomy trees. Th

My voice was tre

a brief period of quiet. Then s

asn't t

leton build. His lips curved into a savage, predatory grin, and h

anger as he remarked, "You've made a

ghtened my hold on the

grew wider. "Who are you to think you can take what

nd. He was a few steps away one moment, and then he was towering ab

o him and knocked him to the g

is voice was harsh, almost snarling. His motions

en remaining to a

lled. His eyes had changed; they were now f

e, and he gave a guttural chuckle. "You believe you ca

o

eb's body moved with unnatural power and speed as he pounced at the gu

he pendant. It was more than simply a battle; it was a haze

as abruptly a

e stranger vanished into the darkness. With wild

rained as he added, "You

d no

t in my palm, saying, "It doesn't matter." "T

and his eyes became brighter. "You've just made yourself a target,