The weight of the Sanctuary's power lingered in the air even as we left its ancient walls behind. The forest outside was thick and shadowed, but somehow, the energy clinging to my skin made it all feel different, more charged. The trees loomed tall, their branches intertwining like skeletal fingers above us, casting eerie shadows that flickered in the fading light. Jordan walked beside me, his posture unusually tense, while Hazel led the way with swift, purposeful strides. The air around us hummed with the residual magic of the Sanctuary, but the world outside felt heavier, more dangerous.
For a moment, none of us spoke. The silence was thick, punctuated only by the soft crunch of leaves beneath our boots. My mind raced as I replayed everything Hazel had said back in the Sanctuary. The power we'd harnessed, the energy that now flowed through us—it was a lot to take in. And yet, I couldn't shake the unease growing in the pit of my stomach. Something felt off, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon.
"So, what now?" Jordan broke the silence, his voice low and serious. His usual cocky demeanor had been replaced by something more somber, almost cautious.
Hazel didn't turn to look at him. "We keep moving. We need to track the source of the disturbances, gather information, and stay ahead of whatever's coming."
Jordan huffed but said nothing more. I could tell he was holding back, trying not to push Hazel's patience any further. The tension between them had always been palpable, but today it felt different—heavier.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. "Hazel, do you have any idea what exactly we're up against? Is it just the usual power shifts, or is there something else?"
Hazel's eyes flicked toward me, sharp and calculating. "It's hard to say. The energy disturbances are stronger than anything we've felt before, and there are rumors of other families sensing the shift. Whatever it is, it's more than just a fluctuation in power. It's organized, deliberate."
I frowned, unease settling deeper into my bones. "And you think it has something to do with Cecilia?"
At the mention of her name, Hazel's expression darkened. She didn't respond right away, and for a moment, I thought she might not answer at all. But then she sighed, her gaze distant. "Cecilia's disappearance was no coincidence. Jordan's involvement wasn't either."
I shot a glance at my brother, but Jordan's face was impassive, his eyes focused ahead. He didn't even flinch at the mention of his betrayal. That same cold detachment he'd worn ever since the day he took her was still there, like a mask he never took off.
Hazel continued, her voice edged with frustration. "The truth is, Jake, I don't know how deep this goes. Cecilia wasn't just an innocent bystander. She was part of something much bigger—something Jordan either couldn't resist or couldn't fight."
Jordan's lips curled into a bitter smile, but he still didn't say a word. I clenched my fists, the familiar anger bubbling just beneath the surface. This wasn't the first time I'd thought about confronting him, demanding the truth about what he'd done. But every time, the words died in my throat. It wasn't just that I feared what he might say—it was that deep down, a part of me already knew. Whatever had driven Jordan to take Cecilia, it wasn't just jealousy or some twisted need for power. It was something darker, something I wasn't ready to face.
As the silence stretched on, the forest around us seemed to grow more oppressive. The wind picked up, rustling the leaves overhead, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched. I scanned the shadows, my senses heightened from the energy still buzzing through my veins. But there was nothing—just the endless stretch of trees and the soft, haunting sounds of the wilderness.
"We're close," Hazel said abruptly, her voice snapping me out of my thoughts. She pointed ahead, where the trees began to thin, revealing a wide clearing bathed in the faint glow of the setting sun. "The ley lines converge here. This is where we'll find our next clue."
Jordan groaned, his usual sarcasm slipping back into his tone. "Great. Another magical hotspot. How many of these ancient places are we going to visit before we figure out what's going on?"
Hazel shot him a warning look. "You'd be wise to take this seriously, Jordan. We're dealing with forces older and more powerful than you can imagine."
Jordan snorted but didn't push any further. Instead, he adjusted the straps of his backpack and followed Hazel into the clearing. I trailed behind, my mind still swirling with questions and doubts.