Chapter 182 1/6 PIPER The moment I woke , I knew something was wrong .

The pack bond was usually steady , but a comforting hum in the back of my mind was off .

It didnt feel severed , but it was weak like a thread stretched too thin and ready to snap .

I sat up in bed , running my fingers through my hair as I tried to focus on the sensation .

It was Aurora .

Her bond was dim , and distant , as though she wasnt just far away physically but emotionally locked behind some impenetrable wall .

I got dressed quickly , throwing on dark clothes meant for stealth .

My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of the unease clawing at me .

Whatever was happening , I couldnt just sit here and wait .

I came out and I felt drawn to the war room , I found Trajans map still spread across the table , a mess of notes and markers left behind from the last strategy session .

I studied it , searching for anything that might point me toward Aurora .

Think , Piper , 1 muttered to myself .

Where would she The Namelesss lair was the most obvious answer , but it wasnt * ough to just guess I needed something concrete .

Chapter 182 2/6 My fingers brushed over the map , tracing the paths wed marked as dangerous areas where dark creatures had been spotted or where Danes influence lingered .

A cold chill ran down my spine as I noticed a pattern .

The sightings formed a loose perimeter around one area we hadnt explored deeply , an unassuming section of dense forest that seemed to repel even the bravest scouts .

I frowned , leaning closer .

What are you hiding in there ? Beside the map was a stack of old reports , most of them from Evanders missions .

I flipped through them , scanning for any mention of the Nameless or unusual activity .

One entry caught my eye .

Spotted faint tracks leading into the eastern forest .

Too faint to pursue .

The air felt … heavy .

Recommend further investigation .

Evanders words sent a shiver through me .

was important enough for him to note , it had

the journal Aurora had left on the table , the

I wasnt

something , I whispered

section caught

with phrases like the shadows coil where the moonlight dies and the forest speaks

riddles werent just poetic ,

in my

forest wasnt just a

It was significant .

glanced at the

moved now , I

wasnt

been unusually quiet lately , wrapped up in whatever schemes kept him

him a vague note , knowing he wouldnt

it was too

loomed ahead ,

edge , the air grew colder , and the pack bond weakened even

hard , forcing

always felt … off

trees were taller here, their branches twisting

thick with moss , muffling my steps and every sound seemed to echo in an unsettling way

keeping to the shadows and listening for

senses were on high alert , every rustle of leaves or crack of a

one point , I paused , crouching low behind a

, the ground dipped into a shallow ravine , and in the center was something that didnt belong , a faint glow , like

, my breath catching

, it was forming shapes ,

the journal from my bag , I

were the same as the ones described as the seal of the Namelesss domain

whispered , my voice

getting closer wouldnt

the air around it

watching me , waiting for me

my finger and mouthing the words from the journal

clear now : Step only where the light touches , and the darkness will grant you passage

spotting faint patches of

seemed to create a path , narrow and winding but just

a deep breath , I stepped onto the first patch of

solid beneath me , but the air grew colder

moved slowly , carefully placing each

mist swirled around me , darkness reaching out as if testing my resolve

across the ravine , a low growl stopped me

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255