iel’s body, and the tiny muscles between his ribs clenched his

caught his attention, and he noticed the small, bare feet from the corner of his eye. Ev

away. “Come home, Daniel. We’re waiting for you.” The sweet, soft fragrance she left beh

s palms as he lifted himself from the ground. Like a puppet on a string, hi

ing she touched sprung back to life until it g

ery eyes with his sleeve, he almost lost track of the specter as she gave birth to everything beautiful with her healing hands. Little chirps and buzz

y through his chest that followed the blood pumping into his veins

shiver through his entire body, and a sneeze shot from his nose so powerful that it took his vision for a moment. He closed his dark brown eyes to the warmth of

of the woods surrounded him again, and he shook his head as he tur

ean world on his skin. The vibration in his ears gradually gave way to the whispers again, and whe

d the space around it and moved like water in a pool as it danced on the air and bent t

it wiggled its way to him. When the forces collided, it swallo

d of whooshes and screams that crushed him and sucked the air from hi

world came back into order. His trembling knees gave way as he reached out to the statue to ground him. The col

to find the little homes built into the cliffs, and just over the hillside sat the blue sea. The warm setting sun peeked over t

s and pointed to his right. “This way. You’re this way.” Every step

g robes with long black hair and a braided headpiece encircling his forehead. “W

hank you, Sir, but where exactly am I? I… I know I

ted around the lands as a warm smile came to the old

ked beside Nicholas and his eyes examined the murals and statues that lined the ma

smirk curled up on the old warlock’s mouth. “I didn’t bring you here. Even the wi

ation rose from his gut. “Where’s the woman? The one with red hair.

, and his pointy black brow arched. “Now, while you’re here, you will train in the old ways. You will learn how to fight as we do, to li

nd dropped his eyes to the floor. “I underst

le huff of a laugh sprang from his chest when he saw the bed with fluffy pillows in the corner near the

things are meant to be.” With a pat of his hand against Daniel’s back, Nicholas nodded to the door.“ Dinner is at s

el rolled his eyes as he looked over the faded old

the smooth curve of her cheek. An ache rushed through h