After Ruby locked the car and made sure everything was in place, she glanced around one more time. Her eyes moved over the trees, the slope ahead, the low branches. She was being careful—checking for any signs of danger.
She had seen enough in world to know that silence didn't always mean safety. The group slowly started walking toward the cliff area, following the trail Bran had told them about. The deeper they went, the cooler it became, and soon, everything around them was covered in a faint silver mist. Not too thick but enough to make the forest feel like a dream. Or a memory.
Ruby walked a little ahead, holding a stick in one hand and using it to tap the path gently. "Let me know if anyone sees anything strange," she said, her voice soft but steady. Julian nodded, sticking close to her as always, and the other three witches stayed close behind.
As they walked further in, the trees began to change.
