Chapter 4

My heart was racing as I was left just staring at the letter. Fresh blood was found on the parchment. Its source of blood puzzled me. Did Dal own it? As I kept thinking about it, I became agitated.

Is it true that he killed my leopard? Despite my immediate desire to meet Dal, something about the letter piqued my interest. Perhaps it was my eagerness to see what he had in store for me, or perhaps it was just the power of our shared tie at work.

We hadn't even been together for a day when I started to feel defeated. I thought about going to Lawrence and asking him to speak with Lucian and give my leopard back. I didn't want to take the chance, despite how alluring the concept appeared. If I didn't follow his orders, what if he did something awful to Dal?

Even simply thinking about it made my head hurt. Already, I was so frustrated. Again, I knew that he wouldn't just hand me my leopard so easily, but I still wanted to approach him and ask him for it. He seems to enjoy playing games, therefore he was likely playing one with me.

Did you locate Dal? My mother questioned me about my breakfast routine.

"No," I cried out.

"That's alright. More wolves are being sent out by your father to search for him. That would be okay, "She made an effort to reassure me, but I could also sense her anxiety in her voice.

Since Dal had never vanished in this manner before, I was aware that she was also terrified and concerned about the situation. He was really special to us, and if something happened to him, we would be crushed.

I shifted on my seat hesitantly and said, "Er... mom." She glanced at me as a result. She joined me for breakfast, although she appeared rushed to get to a meeting with other witches. I debated whether or not to tell her about Lucian right now.

"What is it, sweetie?" She questioned me sternly while showing concern on her face.

She was looking at me very thoughtfully as I cautiously began, "I... I wanted to tell you something."

She looked away from all the parchments and said, "Go on, I'm listening," before completely turning to face me. I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I'm not sure why, but I had this peculiar feeling that prevented me from speaking about it aloud. Every time I wanted to discuss it, I felt as though I was at a loss for words.

"I — it was," I tried to speak, but nothing came out. The words were straining to escape my lips, but once more there was some odd force preventing them from doing so. My mother's concern only increased as she watched me have a hard time speaking.

Never before had I had trouble telling her something. My mother and I used to be able to talk about everything, but now I was unable to talk to her about the thing that mattered the most to me. It confused me.

"Yes, sweetheart, I'm listening. Give it some time. I'm here to help "She prodded me while encouragingly touching my shoulder, but nothing came out.

Sighing, I gave up. "I believe you are running late. When you get back from work in the evening, we'll discuss this "I informed her sourly before taking a sip of my tea. She remained silent but observed with intense worry.

"My priority for you, baby, is greater than my work. I can see that you are bothered by something. Just describe it to me. Are you worried about Dal? If so, your father and I would do everything in our power to assist you. Baby, your father will bring him to you "She made an effort to calm me down, but I became even more angry.

I had the impression that I was a dam, containing a whole river. I desperately wanted to tell her everything, but something kept stopping me and making me feel worse and worse every time I tried.

"Mom, it's all right. We'll speak once more that evening "I told her. Before kissing my forehead as if I were still a toddler and departing for work, she gave me a very worried expression. Soon after, I left for work, but the bloodied note from Lucian kept me from doing so for the majority of the time.

I couldn't help but keep returning to it and then thinking of Dal. I questioned his whereabouts and his health.

"What took place to you?" While we were practicing, Locros said to me, "You seem lost today," and then he said, "Is there any news on Dal?"

His inquiry was answered by the desperation that hung on my face. By now, everyone was aware that Dal was missing.

"Don't worry, Athena, my father is aware of it, Embry assured me. He has dispatched additional wolves to search for Dal. He would soon be located!" He made an effort to cheer me up as well. I attempted to smile forcibly and return to my job. Everyone was looking for my leopard, but I knew exactly where it was.

It was with Lucian, but once more, I was prevented from discussing it with anyone by this odd power. Otherwise, Dal would have been discovered by now, I was confident. I was left with nothing to do but wait till dark. I waited, and then I returned to the freezing woods once the sun had begun to set beneath the horizon.

I was more reminded of my leopard by this. I was never by myself in the woods. He was always like a shadow beside me. I felt shadowless without him by my side, like those lifeless things that dwell in the abyss. Without my Dal, I felt as lifeless as they did.

As I made my way further into the woods, my heart was thumping in my chest. I was constantly very vigilant. The trees silently observed me as I passed them, and the brisk wind fluffed my hair as it passed my shoulder. It wheezed past my ears in the dark, whispering about the perils the woods held, sending a chill down my spine.

I made a turn and headed farther into the forest in the direction of the prohibited forests. If I had the option, I would never have visited that location.

There's a reason why the area is known as the forbidden forests. When Zeifa hadn't been cursed with infertility, the area used to be a small community. It was stated that the entire village burned down with all the women imprisoned in the homes when Bladu cursed Zeifa with infertility.

They are rumored to still be present in the forbidden forests, their souls still cursed. The area was the darkest in Zeifa. I had just been there for the second time, and I wasn't really excited to return. When we were younger, I had already visited with Embry, Jacob, and Locros.

We went to look at it one night since we were so inquisitive. The four of us continued to have nightmEmbry from it occasionally despite it being the darkest night of our lives. My entire being shuddered at the mere thought of it. Even though I had no desire to go there, I had to for my Dal. I would have gone to the forbidden forests if it meant getting him back.

When I at last saw the dead willow tree that stood tall amid the other trees, brooding and indicating the beginning of the forbidden forests, I took a sharp breath. The woods here were far deeper and darker, and strange animal noises floated through the air. Even though I was doing this simply for my snow leopard, I couldn't help but feel afraid.

I was only willing to pay that amount for my Dal. I moved passed the dead willow tree and into the forbidden woods, thinking about getting him back. The tree hissed at me, and I recoiled in terror.

I then became aware of how frightened I was throughout my entire body. I forced a firm swallow before moving further into the forbidden forest. Even my werewolf sight couldn't help me see clearly because of how dark it was here.

"Dal?" When a mysterious sound made me too afraid to continue, I yelled loudly for my leopard. I reached under my cloak and cupped my hands around my sword's handle. Nothing happened, which made my heart sag even more.

"Dal!" I yelled once more. However, this time, something responded by encircling my leg and dragging me into a pitch-black abyss. The only thing to emerge from the blackness was my scream.