Chapter 38 The Wait

• Luca crept out of the room, making his way towards the hidden path he had described. He moved stealthily avoiding any patrols or curious eyes. But as he reached the edge of the village, a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking his path.
• “Maya,” he breathed, his heart sinking.
• Maya stood firm, her ancient eyes sharp despite the frailty of her body. The moonlight filtered through the canopy above, casting a pale glow over the forest path where she had intercepted Luca.