Chapter 38 The Sanctuary's Shadow

• ‎The forest loomed before them, dense and silent, its canopy stretching high overhead to blot out most of the sunlight. Hemlock led the way, his steps sure and measured, while Billy and Stella flanked Alex and Lucinda protectively. The path to the Sanctuary was not marked by trails or signs; it was known only through memory and instinct, a secret guarded for generations.
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• ‎Alex's gaze flicked nervously around, every shadow seeming to ripple with unseen movement. He felt Lucinda’s hand slip into his, her fingers cool and steady, grounding him. She met his eyes with a reassuring smile, though there was a flicker of worry in her gaze.