ned around the reins of her horse, her breath catching in her throat as the darkness of the forest deepened. The trees, towering and

ense, every muscle in his body coiled in anticipation. Evelina followed his gaze,

oice barely more than a breath, af

It's not just hidden- it's guarded. By those who would s

creatures said to protect the old magic, the dark guardians that lur

d toward the sound. For a moment, all she saw was the shifting shadows a

ina gasped, her blood running cold. The figure seemed to shimmer like a wraith, half-seen and half-

pproaching figure, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The tension in

velina asked, her

ient spirits, bound to the forest and to the magic hidden within it. Do not make the mistake

intelligence that sent a shiver of dread down Evelina's spine. It tilted its head, studying them for a long

he rustling of dry leaves. "The relic is not y

ble to stop herself. There was something in the wraith's words-s

nerves were fraying. "We are not just any mortals.

its form seemed to waver. Then, slowly, it let out a l

The magic is a double-edged sword. Even now, it calls to you-seducing you

e glanced at Sir Alden, who was staring at the wraith with

ugh the tension. "The wraiths are bound to the magic, and they will do whatev

though the very air around them thickened with an unseen force. Then, with a flicker

urse. The price is st

ht of the wraith's warning pressing down on her chest, but there was no turning back n

again. He offered her a hand, and she took it, swinging herself into the saddle

e air. Evelina's mind raced. What had it meant by 'the price is steeper t

ng together in a canopy that shut out the sunlight entirely. The path ahead was barel

on, and he motioned for Evelina to follow as he urged his horse forward. They crossed a narrow stone bridge, the water beneath

," Sir Alden said

ergrown with vines, half-hidden by the forest's dense underbrush. The stones were cove

is was it- the relic was hidden here, wit

m the darkness beyond the clearing. Evelina stiffened, and S

e whispered, "W

's embrace. The air around them grew heavier, thick with an ominous presence. They were h