Esme – POV
I reined in my horse at the exact spot where Liam had disappeared. "Set up camp here," I instructed the Imperial soldiers. They dismounted, tying their horses to the trees lining both sides of the forest, while others began unloading supplies from the carriage.
"Lady Esme," said Priest Daniel, stepping forward. His face had gone pale. "The presence of dark magic is strongest in this area."
"I feel it too," I replied. The air itself made my skin crawl.
"Lady Esme, your tent is ready," an Imperial soldier reported. I gave a brief nod.
"Let's talk, Priest Daniel," I said. "We need to discuss how we're going to find the gate."
He followed me, and two of his subordinates fell in behind him.
"This is Landon, my subordinate," Daniel introduced. "And this is Lady Liana—she specializes in locating hidden gates."
"So, what's the plan you said you'd share once we arrived?" I asked.
"We'll need a report," Daniel said, glancing at Landon.
