Page 67 of Blood of the Fallen
“What is it?” Novuk asked her, stepping forward to stand by her side.
“I’m not sure.” Her black gaze darted over the quickly darkening forest. “It’s as if… they’re close.”
“Who?” I asked.
“My coven.”
We were still a day away from where we’d last met them, and a half a day away from entering their lands. If they were out here, it could only mean they were running from a threat.
“Are you sure?” Ila asked, looking worried.
In fact, everyone appeared worried. It was clear to see by the furtive glances they exchanged and the light crouch that suggested they were ready to pounce at the smallest threat.
“Let’s spread out,” Maki whispered, his yellow eyes flashing.
“No!” Bethel put a hand up, an order for us not to do anything.
It wasn’t easy to just stand there as a strange pressure seemed to build around us. The tension grew, getting so taut that the air seemed to vibrate. We seemed to stand there for a small eternity, waiting for the sky to drop on top of us. Instead, dark shadows rained from the trees and sent my heart knocking wildly.
For her part, Bethel welcomed them with a shriek of excitement and relief.
In a matter of seconds, we were surrounded by dark shapes, and if I hadn’t known better, I would have attacked. But I’d seen the witches appear out of nowhere before on the day I met Bethel. It was unnerving the way they did that and watching their gloomy shapes as my heart pounded made me wonder why we’d been worried about them. If they could appear and disappear this easily, I had no idea how the Academy could ever get to them.
“Mother!” Bethel exclaimed and ran toward a blurry shape no different from the others.
As the figure took a step forward, the gloom dissipating, Priestess Nanai took form and received Bethel in her outstretched arms. The relief that descended on her features was palpable. No doubt, she had been afraid for her daughter’s life.
Their embrace was short. Bethel quickly peeled away from the priestess and glanced around. “Is everyone all right?”
“Yes,” Nanai answered. “We were on our way to find you.”
The Priestess’s dress was made of what looked like rags of many textures, just like Bethel’s. She wore a headpiece like the first time, that same red jewel sparkling in its center.
Bethel blinked in surprise. “Oh.”
“We heard what happened. Your messages traveled quickly through the packs and covens.”
“I thought I would get a message from you,” Bethel said. “I kept waiting.”
“We had to leave Wallagrass,” she said as if that explained everything, and it seemed like it did because Bethel simply nodded, her expression signaling that she understood.
Perhaps they needed to be in their ancestral land to be able to communicate their long-distance messages. Whatever the case, I could feel nothing but relief at finding them safe.
The Priestess glanced in our direction, quickly taking in our state. Her features grew somber.
“Yura?” she asked.
Bethel shook her head. “This is all that’s left of her pack.”
Priestess Nanai sucked in a breath and pressed a hand to her chest, upsetting the many necklaces she wore. For a brief instant, sorrow slashed across her face. My mother and she had been friends, and it was clear to see that Chieftess Yura’s death affected the witch.
“What about the triad?” she asked, focusing her attention on me. “Is it how you saw it, daughter?”
“It is.”
“At least there is that.” She turned and glanced over her shoulder. “Follow me. The Pack Rule has convened.”
We hiked through the forest, following the witches. Night fell, and the forest around us grew eerie in a way I’d never seen. Squinting, I stared at the trees to my right. They seem to flicker in and out. I rubbed my eyes, sure there must be something wrong with them.
