I don’t know what that means. My stomach sinks anyway.
But before I can ask, Malrik’s hand brushes my wrist, brief but grounding, and I let myself lean into it for just a second.
Finnick settles on Malrik’s shoulder like he belongs there. Malrik doesn’t even blink.
“Stop trying to carry all of them,” he says quietly. “You’ll break yourself before we even reach the Keep.”
I don’t know if I believe him.
But I nod anyway.
The mountain looms larger as the day wears on.
By the time the sun begins to set, we’re all dragging. My legs ache. My ribs feel bruised from the inside out. Even my shadows seem sluggish, their movements slower than usual.
Sorrow’s Keep.
I’ve never seen it before, but I know it’s there. Can feel it in my bones, a pull that gets stronger with every step. Like something is waiting.
The corruption hums against my skin, and my shadows press closer.
Bob takes point, posture rigid. Mouse pads silently at my heel. Patricia’s notebook has gone still, like even she doesn’t want to record what’s coming.
Behind me, the group spreads out along the road.
I take a breath and let myself relax knowing they’re here with me. That we’re in this together.
Whatever waits at Sorrow’s Keep, it’s already watching us.
I can feel it.
We round a bend in the road.
The path narrows. The trees press closer. The mountain looms ahead, dark and jagged against the sky.
My shadows stiffen.
All of them. At once.
Bob’s edges go sharp. Mouse freezes mid-step. Patricia’s notebook flares to life. Even Finnick, who’s been lounging on Malrik’s shoulder, goes rigid.
Behind me, the guys react instinctively. All of them suddenly on edge, feeling that something, isn’t right.
And then I see him.
Standing in the middle of the road, like he’s been waiting for us the entire time.
Callum.
He looks… wrong. Thinner than I remember. Paler. His eyes have a strange, hollow quality that makes my skin crawl.
But he’s grinning.
“Hello, Kieran,” he says.
My blood turns to ice.
Chapter 22
