While Azrael and Elvara were inside the old woman's small hut that smelled of herbs, the rest of the team walked the empty street under the moon.
At first the mission had felt exciting. Now that feeling was gone. It was just long, tense waiting.
"I want to see a ghost," Selvara said softly in the dark. "Maybe it will be more interesting than the kids at the academy."
Orion cracked his knuckles. The sound was loud in the quiet night. "I hope it fights back. This hiding in shadows thing is annoying."
"Do you ever think about anything besides fighting?" Lyra snapped, pulling her cloak closer. "It is cold. And it is creepy."
Kaelen did not join the arguing. His hand rested on his sword. He kept watching the houses and the dark forest beyond.
He was focused and alert.
"It is too quiet," Seraphina whispered. Her hand glowed with a small, clear light. "No animals. No insects. It feels like the whole forest is holding its breath."
