( Inside the Greater Woods - continued)
"Stay close to me," Dax muttered, his eyes narrowing as the undergrowth rustled though no creature stepped out.
His hand hovered near Lyla's elbow, not quite holding her, but steadying himself…just in case. "Something's wrong. The air…smells off. Feels off too."
Lyla shook her head, brushing a strand of hair from her face as her gaze darted deeper into the trees. "It's just the forest, Dax. Don't make it more than it is."
"No," he growled softly. "The forest doesn't move like this. Listen."
They both stilled.
A laugh. Light, soft…almost childlike…echoed through the mist. But when they turned towards the sound, it shifted, bouncing behind them.
Then to their right.
Then it was gone.
Lyla's breath hitched. "Freya…" Her steps quickened. "I swear that sounded like her…"
"Stop." Dax caught her wrist. "That wasn't her. That was something else. I can feel it.It wasn't the Princess."
