Bob hovers near the window, his usual commanding presence replaced by what I can only describe as pacing. Patricia’s frantic note-taking has reached new heights of chaos, her shadowy quill practically smoking. Even Mouse seems agitated, circling my ankles with uncharacteristic urgency.
“What’s gotten into you guys?” I ask, finally managing to stuff a spare shirt into my bag.
Carl zooms past my head, trailing what looks suspiciously like one of Torric’s leather bracers. Steve follows, clutching a book that definitely belongs to Malrik. Finnick brings up the rear with something that glints like Kieran’s ceremonial dagger.
“Are you—are youstealingagain?” I demand, but they’re already gone, vanishing through the walls like guilty children.
Bob remains, radiating disapproval so intense I can practically feel it.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I tell him. “I didn’t tell them to steal anything.”
He flickers once—sharp, impatient—then drifts toward the door.
“I’m coming, I’m coming.” I grab the rest of my essentials, shoving them haphazardly into the bag. “Though I still don’t understand why everyone’s acting so—”
My hand freezes on the Heart of Eternity.
The moment my fingers touch the pendant, Mousehisses. An actual, audible hiss that makes my blood run cold. Bob snaps to attention, positioning himself between me and the necklace like a tiny shadow bodyguard.
“What the hell?” I whisper.
Patricia abandons her notes entirely, hovering near the Heart with obvious distress. Even Carl pokes his head through the wall, vibrating with anxiety.
I try to lift the pendant. Mousegrowls.
“Okay, okay.” I drop my hands, stepping back. “Message received. No Heart of Eternity on this trip.”
The relief that washes through my shadows is palpable. Mouse immediately settles, purring against my leg. Bob returns to his usual stoic composure. Patricia dives back into her documentation with renewed vigor.
I stare at the pendant, its familiar weight suddenly feeling like a burden I can’t bear to carry but can’t bear to abandon. “If you don’t want me taking it…” I murmur, then an idea strikes me.
Moving to the ornate wooden chest near my window, I lift the false bottom—a hiding spot I discovered weeks ago. The Heart settles into the hidden compartment with a softclick, like it belongs there. Safe. Protected. Waiting.
But the wrongness doesn’t fade. If anything, it gets stronger.
I finish packing in a daze, my shadows clustering closer than usual. Something’s missing. Something important. But every time I try to focus on what, the thought slips away like water through my fingers.
The sanctuary’s courtyard buzzes with departure preparations when I finally make it downstairs. Horses stamp and snort, their breath misting in the morning air. Warriors check weapons and supplies with practiced efficiency. Everything looks normal.
So why does it feel like I’m forgetting something crucial?
“There she is,” Aspen calls, his relief obvious. “I was starting to think you’d decided to stay behind.”
“Never.” I force a smile, shouldering my pack. “Just had some… packing complications.”
Torric glances at my bag, then at the shadows clustering around my feet. “Let me guess. Your personal army decided to help?”
“Something like that.”
Kieran approaches, his golden eyes scanning the group with military precision. “We leave now. The northern routes won’t stay clear much longer.”
“Right.” I look around the assembled riders, mentally checking off faces. Kieran, obviously. Aspen and Torric, mounted on matching bay horses that somehow suit them perfectly. Malrik on a sleek black mare that seems to absorb light. A handful of Kieran’s most trusted warriors.
Everyone’s here. Everyone’s ready.
So why does the courtyard feel… empty?
“Problem?” Malrik asks, noticing my hesitation.
