Chapter 8: The Shadow in the Trees
The wind carried a chill that night—one that didn't belong to early autumn. Lira double-checked the windows, her eyes flicking to the tree line where Elric had been staring for hours.
Inside, Corwin had fallen asleep beside a stack of parchment, snoring faintly. Elric remained at the window, still and silent, his eyes tracking movement only he could see.
"Whatever's out there," Lira whispered, "is it... watching you? Or hunting you?"
Elric didn't turn.
"Yes."
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At dawn, Corwin was gone.
His bed was empty, boots missing, and a trail of shallow footprints led out toward the woods. Lira found the front door ajar and a strange smear of dark liquid on the frame—not quite blood. It shimmered faintly in the morning sun.
"He wouldn't just leave," she said, panic creeping into her voice.
"No," Elric agreed. "He was taken."
He grabbed his satchel and tied his cloak tight. "Stay here. Lock the doors. Boil water. Keep a knife nearby."