But I had no sense of the circle or my friends at all. I was alone, chasing a single strand of essence in an endless domain of illusions.
Euphoria washed over me…
I could feel my dad.
He was still alive.
But then dread cut through it.
Another force curled around me, trying to intercept.
The presence sharpened and formed into a looming shape as a chill crawled up my spine.
Gideon.
His confidence swept across my path like a tsunami, blocking my way to where I needed to go.
I tried to swim past the sensation while clinging to my dad’s essence, and my heart tightened when I glimpsed where my dad was being held.
“You’ve finally come,” the deep voice hissed.
Chapter Four
My jaw clenched as I willed myself to stay vigilant and strong.
Fearless.
I’d do whatever it took.
I forged deeper into the spiraling gloom as the thread of hope quivered under my feet. My chest tightened with love and desperation.
My eyes clenched shut as I forced myself to remain strong and focus on the good.
If we intended to get my father back, break the curse, and open the Academy, we couldn’t let the shadows win.
This was so personal, it ached, and I fully understood why my friends didn’t tell me about my dad until recently.
I opened my eyes and saw that I wasn’t looking at Stonewick.
Instead, I was peering into the heart of Shadowick.
A dark, hollow structure that looked surreal was perched in a ripple of roiling mist. My dad’s essence emanated from somewhere inside. I sensed his spirit flicker, fragile yet defiant, calling out wordlessly to me.
Tears pricked my eyes.
He’s here.
The knowledge both elated and terrified me.
The churning darkness of the building resembled a fortress, tendrils of vile magic snaking around the walls, sitting behind the mansion I’d spotted from my time here before.
I took another step. My father’s energy shimmered, but it was faint.
It suddenly felt as small as a candle flame in a violent wind.
I reached my hand out and felt a jolt of ice slam into my chest. Gideon’s shape materialized as his face twisted in fury. His eyes narrowed as he registered my presence.
“So…” His deep voice boomed. “You dare intrude on my domain, witch?”
