Chapter 57

When the blur of fever in my eyes gets clearer, I even catch a glimpse of a wolf among the trees a few feet in front of me. But it’s not a usual wolf. It looks more like a spirit, pale and flickering, and it disappears as soon as I notice it. So it’s some kind of magic that leads me forward, huh? But it doesn’t scare me away. It’s not witchcraft—it’s the magic of spirits. Instead of being frightened, I pull up the remnants of my strength to rush after it.

I follow the trail of wolves’ scents until the yellow light of a candle flickers between the trees, guiding me to a large clearing. I stop on the edge of it, taking in the sight in front of me and absentmindedly wondering if I’ve already passed out and am simply dreaming it all.

There is a wooden cabin in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by patches of gardens and what looks like crops. The spirits beckon me to move forward, their scent weaving toward the warm lights inside the cabin that flicker like an invitation to join them. It looks very nice, but the land here is soaked with witchcraft, and I can’t make myself move.

That is, until the door of the cabin suddenly opens. I stand far away from it, hidden in the shadows of the trees, yet the young man that steps outside doesn’t even hesitate before looking in my direction. He eyes me for a moment, and even from such a distance I can hear that his voice is calm and a little curious.

“So you’ve made it. Come in while you’re still on your legs.”

Paula's P.O.V

What, here? I stare out the window of Abel’s car, nervously fiddling with my sleeves, and try to see anything in the dark forest around us. The weird thing is that I don’t recognize this place at all, and I’ve spent all my life in Raywald, mind you. Surely if there is a path good enough for a car ride, then I must’ve visited it before—but I don’t recognize this.

Well, don’t all trees look the same though? It’s easy to get lost—and if Gray still hasn’t found his way back…I shake my head. Stop thinking about it, just stop.

“Let’s go.” I blink and turn to Rorie before glancing outside again. Where are we supposed to go? Rorie smiles, clearly amused by my confusion, and opens the door from her side. “We’ll show you the way.”

“Are you sure it’s a good idea, though? Owen will not be happy,” Abel mutters as we get out of the car. He sounds worried, but he’s been like this ever since I explained the power of my visions.

“Well, he has to listen to her first,” Carter says with a grim, unfamiliar frown. He turns away, climbing deeper into the forest. Abel glances at Rorie and follows him, the two of us trailing behind.

Without the lights of Abel’s car, it’s even harder to see the path that’s already disappearing in the grass some ten feet away from us. To my surprise, I notice Owen’s car parked further up the path, hidden in the thick bushes around us. But it seems like no one else cares. Okay then. I look around, trying to catch any hint of the settlement they were talking about, but there’s nothing. Trees, bushes, and an occasional rustle in the distance. Where are we going?

I start to get nervous again, panic swaying in the back of my mind like a wave ready to sweep me off my feet. I haven’t gotten any visions since that first one, and now I’m in complete darkness as to where Gray may be and what happened to him. Could it be another wolf that attacked him? Some kind of magic spell? Something worse? I chew my lips, pulling at the sleeves of my hoodie, when I feel a sudden touch.

Rorie squeezes my hand, offering a small, reassuring smile, and I realize that she’s barely changed since high school. Just as kind and openhearted as ever. Can’t say I feel a lot better, but I hold her hand and nod. We’re doing something, right? We’re doing all we can, actually. So we’re gonna find him. It’s gonna be okay.

It’s gonna be okay.

Only a second later do I realize why she really took my hand, though. Because as soon as we reach the end of the path—that has already turned into a faint trail in the grass—the forest changes around me. Trees and bushes disappear into thin air like in one of my visions, and instead I see old, wooden huts and flickers of fire dancing far ahead of us. None of it was here a moment ago.

I rub my eyes, trying to understand if it’s some kind of a trick from my powers, or if I’m actually seeing it with my own eyes. The huts are grouped together, and it looks like a…settlement. That’s what they called it, right? Now, I understand better—but at the same time, I understand absolutely nothing.

“It’s old magic,” Rorie murmurs when I pause to take the view in. Abel and Carter walk into the settlement without a second of hesitation as if they didn’t even see the change, and after a moment, Rorie tugs me after them. But damn, can I even go in there? Is it safe?

“Is it some kind of witchcraft?” I glance at Rorie, but she hums and slowly shakes her head, looking at the woods around us.

“No. It’s much older.”

I have other questions swirling in the back of my mind—about the magic, the settlement, and how exactly Rorie ended up here in the first place—but all of them disappear as soon as I see the source of bright, warm light. Between the shadows of huts, I see an empty space that looks like the center of the settlement. In the middle of it, a huge bonfire rises to the sky. It illuminates a group of people huddled around it, their shadows dancing on the huts, looking like wolves and humans alike.

I hear them talking in low voices through the cracking of wood and fire, something nervous hanging in the air. Is it about Gray? I lick my lips and squeeze Rorie’s hand tighter, slowing down. My gaze darts over the strangers that clearly have their home here. Is it okay for me to enter like this? I remember Abel’s words from before and swallow nervously—but it’s the only way to find Gray, so I have to pull myself together. For him, just for him.

As soon as Abel and Carter enter the circle of light, every person around the fire turns to them. They don’t look hostile or surprised—there’s only worry clinging to the faces of people I’ve never seen before. Or wait… I think I have, actually. A woman stands up from her place, her arms crossed in a mask of displeasure, and I realize that I’ve seen her in Raywald before. I just never know where she comes from or how she leaves.

“Finally. Is Gray with you?” the woman asks, and despite her grim facade, her voice is strained with nervousness and worry.

A teenage girl by her side eyes Abel and Carter cautiously. “Are you alone?

Before they have time to explain, someone growls in the darkness, and shit, I should’ve been prepared for it. It’s the settlement of wolves, for goodness sake. But as I watch a wolf step out of the shadows in my direction, I freeze and clutch Rorie’s hand tighter, my heart beating faster with dread. The wolf looks fairly young and hostile, glaring at me with its tail raised high, and I feel the attention of everyone present shift to me. Damn it.

“Paula?”

Before I have time to panic or do something stupid—like run the hell out of this place—I hear a familiar voice, and the wolf stops. Is it Owen? I look around with a quick, panicked gaze and finally find him. Owen is seated on the other side of the bonfire, and…is that Asya next to him? I swallow, meeting her confused but calm gaze. Yeah, okay, I should’ve figured they both would be here.