Evaline:
The chill that swept through the clearing was unnatural. It was sharp enough to slice through bone, deep enough to silence every sound in the forest. The faint rustling of leaves stilled, and even the wind seemed to hold its breath.
I felt it in my veins - that dreadful, paralyzing awareness of danger. It slithered down my spine like cold poison. My heart lurched painfully, and every instinct screamed at me to move, to run, to follow River's command, but my feet wouldn't obey. My body felt rooted to the ground.
I watched as River went rigid. His hand clenched into a fist at his side, and his entire body tensed as if ready to strike.
The air thickened, pressing against my chest until it hurt to breathe. I couldn't see what was there, hidden in the shadows beyond the trees, but I could feel them. Their presence, raw and violent, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
