Chapter 181: Stalker
Liam’s P.O.V.
I tapped the tip of my pencil against my sketchpad, the faint sound the only thing breaking the stillness of the lake. The reflection of the sky on the water blurred as the wind sent ripples across its surface. Like I had said countless times, this was my haven, the one place where I could think without feeling like the walls were closing in.
Then, I heard it again, just like last night: a faint rustle of leaves.
I glanced around, heart pounding.
"Who’s there?" I called out, but nobody answered, just like yesterday.
This part of the forest was supposed to be deserted, that was why I loved coming here.
At first, I thought it might be a squirrel or a bird, but then I caught a flash of movement. My stomach sank. Every part of my body was already preparing for flight when a figure slowly stepped into view. There was no mistaking it now, it was her,
Mai Blackwood.
Her unnatural silver eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world tilted. Those eyes—sharp and all-knowing—always unsettled me, even when we were kids.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I intended.
She tilted her head, her curly light-brown hair falling softly down her shoulders. "I could ask you the same thing."