Chapter 131
Serafine POV
The call stops slowly, and I look out at the place. We’ere here now, in a place that shows it’s untouched for centuries. I can already feel the power humming beneath the ground it’s old, ancient and relic.
I stare at the curtain of trees ahead, each trunk is leaning inward, as if nature itself is trying to protect what’s waiting beyond it. The light that is coming through the canopy of trees is dim here, almost muted even though it’s still mid morning.
The engine clicks softly as the car powers down and Xander is the first to open the door and step out. We all follow just seconds behind him, I push open my door and step out. The stillness here is crazy, almost unnatural. Then again, no one comes near here anymore, I heard enough to know people think this part is cursed but no one gives a good enough reason as to why.
The stillness though, it wraps around the air like an invisible veil, there’s no birds singing, no wing, just the pulse of something beneath my feet, maybe it’s magic. I know regardless though it’s something old and buried but still alive.
Xander rounds the car with Eryx still cradled against his chest. The baby is quiet, his eyes half–lidded and his small hand is curled in Xander’s shirt. He stirs as they move, but doesn’t wake.
I walk ahead without a word, following the path that isn’t really a path, just a stretch of dirt worn by time rather than use. Xander stays a few steps away, close enough that I can hear his footsteps, but far enough to let me lead. The trees lean closer the deeper we go, their roots curling through the ground like veins. That soft hum of power brushes against my skin again, but I don’t think much of it at first.
I knew this place was magical and never changing. For a while I don’t consider much, I focus on walking and making sure I focus on what I feel here
rather than that need that is pulling me to Xander.
Behind us, the sudden sound of shouting breaks the silence.
“Xander. Serafine!”
Killian’s voice snaps through the still air, frantic and confused. Both myself and Xander stop instantly and turn to face Killian wondering why he’s
shouting us. My eyes widen the moment that I see them. Killian, Garrick and Helena are standing just beyond the threshold that we had crossed ourselves. Their bodies are tnese, arms stiff at their sides and the vines from the floor, they have snaked up their legs, thick and pulsing with green
energy.
They’re all bound on the spot, unable to move or do anything as the vines aren’t letting go.
“Don’t come any closer,” Xander calls out to them instantly. His voice is low and firm, the kind that doesn’t allow argument. “If you’re not meant to enter, you won’t be allowed. You’ll just make it worse.”
Killian struggles, trying to lift his foot and the vines tighten in response. Garrick looks down at them, then up, confusion spreading across his face. His eyes flick wildly between us and the space around him, like he’s searching for something that isn’t there.
“We can’t see you!” Garrick shouts suddenly. “Where the hell did you go?”
I look to Xander and his eyes come to me, that’s not right. I look to Killian and Garrick, I can see them all. I can see every line of panic that is on their faces. I can see how their muscles strain against the vines trying to escape, and break free. They’re only a few feet away, but their eyes are darting around in a way that says they can’t see us and are searching.
This place isn’t what it seems, I don’t think this is simply a spell or magic to hide the Nyvarras Hollow, I think Nyvarras Hollow isn’t here, not really.
“It’s a kind of spell,” I whisper, voice barely audible. “Some kind of illusion. A mirror, maybe. They can’t see the Hollow. Not what it truly is.”
Killian tries to move forward again but is immediately yanked back by the vines. He curses and thrashes more like he needs to escape.
“Where are you? What the hell are we doing here and why did we stop?” He screams and panics more.
Helena echoes him, her voice filled with frustration. “Why are we even here? What are we looking for again?”
1/2
Chapter 131
Why are they confused? I inhale slowly, my heart pounding harder now then before. They’ve forgotten, how? is this some proactive spent to take forget what this space is?
Maybe this is why so many fear it, and say it’s dark and evil, because they don’t remember anything from coming here, plot been tied down key stra thrown back like something evil lives here.
They’ve forgotten it, why we’re here, what the reason is, everything. The Hollow didn’t just place. Like no one should know anything about it.
thut them out, it’s working to remove their memories of ship
Xander looks to me with a frown etched deep in his brow. He shifts Eryx in his arms, glancing once more at the boundary behind us. Then we keep moving forward, one cautious step at a time.
We have to go forward, we have to get answers and undercover the truth. The trees seem to shift around us and the Hollow begins to open. This is it, ra turning back, either I get the answers we all need or it is another dead end, worse, it could just create more questions that can’t be answered.
Thope not, because getting no answers at all and ending up with more questions, isn’t right. I need answers.
