The tires screeched against the damp gravel road as Luca pressed the accelerator to the floor. The trees blurred past them, tall shadows under the pale sliver of moonlight. Silver clutched the door handle, his eyes darting from the rearview mirror to the road ahead. "You gonna tell me where we’re going?" Silver finally asked. "To someone who can read symbols like that,” Luca replied, his jaw tight. “If anyone can tell us what that thing on the floor meant, it’s her." Silver raised an eyebrow. "Her?" "Yeah her name is Elara, she used to be part of something bigger, a group that studied things like this before it all went to hell. Archaic stuff, symbols, rituals, supernatural markers. She knows more than most people should." Silver muttered, "She better. Rachael’s life depends on it."Luca didn’t respond. His mind was already going through a lot as it is, Silver cared too much about Rachael, one would think he has a crush on her. Or it could be that he saved her from dea

The howl echoed long after it ended, like the forest itself was holding its breath. Luca stood, the Mirror Root clutched like a lifeline. Silver was already watching the woods behind them, gun in hand, jaw tight. “What the hell was that?” Silver whispered. “Not the same thing from before,” Luca replied. “This is something else.” Branches snapped in the distance, deliberate, heavy. Closer now. "Move,” Luca said. “We’ve got what we came for. Let’s get back to Elara.” They ran very fast. But they were trapped. The way back to the park was gone, the archway had collapsed behind them. All that was left was just gnarled roots twitching slightly, like veins under skin. “We’re trapped?” Silver asked. "This place isn’t bound by our rules. The Hollow shifts. We need to find another exit.” Luca said. Suddenly, they heard another growling sound, closer and angrier. They ran blindly, ducking branches, following instinct more than memory. The fog grew thicker, redder. "Wait, stop!”

Owen knew Killian wasn't ready to talk. So he made a decision, it was time to see his sister, really see her and give the apology that was long overdue. He found the address Killian sent and stood in front of the door, heart pounding a little harder than he'd expected. He knocked gently. Inside, Janelle froze. No one should know where she lived. "Who is it?" she called cautiously, her hand hovering near her phone. And gazing a side lamp. It might come in handy, if it was someone dangerous. "It's me, Owen." Her frown deepened. She walked slowly to the door and opened it, not bothering to hide her irritation. "What do you want?" Owen gave her a sheepish smile. "I just wanted to talk. Would you like to grab coffee with me?" Janelle narrowed her eyes at him, clearly not impressed. But then Killian's words echoed in her mind. "Just listen to him." She sighed. "Fine." She slipped on a pair of shoes without another word. Owen let out a quiet breath of relief, she hadn't

Janelle called a cab after her short walk, rubbing her arms as a chilly breeze picked up. She sighed and glanced at her watch, that's when she noticed a man approaching, his eyes cold, his stride slow but deliberate. Something about him screamed danger, she instinctively backed up, turning to walk in the opposite direction. But from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of another man this one with bloodshot eyes and a grin that made her skin crawl. Her heart pounded, this was trouble. Without a second thought, she took off running. But she wasn't built for this, not with her asthma. Her breath came in sharp gasps, her legs weakening. The echo of footsteps behind her only made the panic worse. Meanwhile…Killian sat in his study, tapping a pen against his desk. He missed her, more than he wanted to admit. He picked up his phone, hesitating for a moment before checking her location. The last ping showed she'd been at a restaurant. Now she was moving... but t

Janelle paused mid-bite, flustered. "That depends. Will you behave?" Killian gave her a lazy smile. "Not likely." She huffed but smiled back, stabbing another piece of toast. "You're impossible." "And you're here." He said quietly, his voice softer now. "That counts for something." Their gazes locked for a beat too long.Then, she raised the next forkful, but Killian caught her wrist gently. "You missed a spot." He said, nodding toward the corner of her mouth. Before she could react, he leaned forward and brushed his thumb against her lip, slowly... deliberately. Janelle froze, heart racing. "I got it." He whispered. The moment stretched thin between them, heated and uncertain. "You should finish your breakfast." She said. Killian smiled. "Only if you stay right here." She nodded slowly, knowing full well she wasn't going anywhere, besides she still felt guilty. Killian chewed slowly, savoring not just the food, but her presence beside him. Then, with a