Page 29 of Crown of Envy

As they spoke, the tension in the group revved up. The others’ breathing quickened, and their bodies tensed as they became aware of the unseen presence stalking us.

Justice squeezed my hand reassuringly, and a pulse of warmth from the Heartstone moved through my palm. Whatever was following us, whatever challenges lay ahead, at least we were facing them together. And perhaps we were now better equipped to handle them.

The minute we stepped out of the cave, I inhaled a deep breath of fresh air. I could practically feel the oppression leave me like a cast-off blanket.

Brody stepped forward, his posture straight and his voice steady despite the ordeal we’d been through. He scanned us with pride and concern.

“Good work, team,” he praised. “What we faced in there…that was unlike anything we’ve encountered before. But we stood together, and that made all the difference.”

He paused, placing a hand on Damon’s shoulder. “And Damon, while I appreciate your ability to find humor in any situation, let’s not lose sight of the gravity of what we’ve accomplished here.”

Brody’s gaze focused on me with respect and admiration. “Your quick thinking saved us all. You remembered the mirror’s words when the rest of us were falling under that creature’s influence. That’s what being a leader is all about. Keeping a clear head in the face of danger and bringing out the best in your team.”

He then addressed the group with a rallying tone. “What we did in there, linking hands, standing united? That’s our strength. We’re not merely individuals with special abilities. We’re a team. And as a team, we can face whatever challenges lie ahead.”

His gaze hardened slightly. “But let’s not forget, we’ve only won a battle, not the war. That creature, whatever it was, is still out there. So is Maci. We need to stay vigilant, stay united, and keep pushing forward. The fate of many depends on us.”

He looked at us, his expression softening slightly. “I’m proud of every one of you. Now, let’s catch our breath, gather our wits, and figure out our next move. Together.”

Brody gave a decisive nod as if affirming his words. His presence brought a sense of calm and purpose to our group, helping ground us after the chaos we’d experienced.

But this was only the first task. We had two more to go, the last being the most dangerous.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Dusk fell over us, the fading light casting long shadows across the forest floor. A chill ran down my spine as I realized we’d be engulfed in darkness soon. The thought of being here at night made my stomach churn.

I glanced at my watch, frowning in confusion. It didn’t seem like we’d been in the cave that long, but the setting sun told a different story. A disorienting feeling washed over me as if we’d crossed into another dimension where time flowed differently. The air around us felt charged, heightening my already frayed nerves.

I turned to Justice and pressed my hand against his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath my palm. It seemed stronger, more vital than before. Hope fluttered in my chest like a caged bird.

“How do you feel?” I whispered, afraid to break the fragile moment.

“Stronger,” Justice murmured, his arms encircling me and pulling me close. The familiar warmth of his body was comforting in the growing chill of the evening. I searched his face, relieved to note that the haunted look in his eyes had diminished, replaced by a spark of life I hadn’t seen in too long.

Before I could respond, Justice’s lips met mine in a tender kiss. I melted into it, indulging in the sweetness, my senses overwhelmed by his touch, his scent, the taste of his lips. For a brief, blissful moment, the dangers around us faded away.

The sound of hurried footsteps abruptly interrupted us. Zara rushed toward us, her eyes wide with hope and desperation. Her sudden appearance made me jump. My heart raced as I snapped back to our precarious reality.

“Please,” Zara pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion. She reached out with trembling hands. “Give me the amulet so I can save my sister.”

The urgency in her voice tugged at my conscience. I felt the weight of the Heartstone in my hand, warm and pulsing with energy. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over me. Sympathy for Zara’s plight, reluctance to part with the amulet that seemed to be helping Justice, and a nagging fear about what might happen if we used its power again so soon.

As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the trees, casting us into twilight, I knew a decision had to be made quickly. The forest came alive with shadows and unseen threats, reminding us of the dangers we still faced.

“Okay, folks, time to blow this popsicle stand.” Damon’s gaze darted around nervously. “I don’t know about you, but I’ve had my fill of Lovecraft’s eyeball monster for one day. Let’s hit the road before old thousand-eyes decides it’s time for round two.”

Brody straightened, scanning the darkening forest. “I concur with Damon’s assessment. We need to move out, and quickly.” He gestured back at the cave, his expression grave. “That creature we faced is unlike anything we’ve encountered before. My instincts tell me it draws strength from the darkness, and we can’t afford to give it that advantage.”

He clapped his hands, the sharp sound echoing in the tense silence. “C’mon, chop-chop! I’d rather not stick around to see if it’s got any uglier cousins lurking in the dark. And trust me, with our luck? It’s got a whole family reunion planned.”

“No, please,” Zara begged. Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving glistening trails in the fading light. She gestured frantically toward Justice, her hands shaking. “The amulet has made Justice stronger. It can break my sister’s spell.”

I glanced at the other statues, their frozen faces etched with terror, and a chill ran down my spine. “Lisa, do you think it can bring the statues back to life?” I asked.

Lisa stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the green glow emanating from the Heartstone. “Perhaps,” she mused, brow furrowed in concentration. “I’m not sure, though. That creature possessed powerful dark magic.”

Zara stood at the edge of the path, her body rigid with tension as she stared at her petrified sister. I glanced between Damon and Justice, my heart clenching painfully. If I was in her shoes, I knew I’d do anything to save them.

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