Page 22 of Tangle of Lust and Lethargy

Probably not faster than a shadow dragon, though.The thought sent a fresh wave of terror through me, my mouth going dry as cotton.

I clenched my eyes shut, unable to process the dizzying speed.

Once again, my feet barely touched the ground. My hair whipped around my face like angry serpents, stinging my cheeks and obscuring my vision. All I saw was a whirlwind of colors. Flashes of sickly green foliage, the grimy brown of demon fur, and the endless gray of the overcast sky above.

The air tasted metallic, tinged with acrid fear.

Justice slowed his pace, glancing at Garrick for guidance. Garrick thrust his chin forward as if to say keep going.

The ground became increasingly treacherous, transitioning from packed earth to unstable, spongy terrain. Each step sank slightly, releasing puffs of dank, musty air.

A cloying, sweet scent filled the air like overripe fruit mixed with decay.

An ominous tree line loomed into view ahead. Massive, gnarled trees with trunks wider than houses form a dense barrier, their canopy blocking out what little light filtered through the perpetually overcast sky.

It reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the West’s forest inThe Wizard of Oz. I kept waiting for one of her flying monkeys to jump out and carry me away. I squeezed Justice’s hand as he finally slowed our frantic pace, and he glanced over his shoulder, giving me a reassuring look. His strength eased some of my nerves.

Yet, as we drew closer, my stomach churned with anticipation and dread.

“We’re almost there,” Garrick muttered. “The Forgotten Hollows lie just beyond those trees.”

I exchanged a nervous glance with Justice, noting the tightness around his eyes. He moved closer to me, a protective gesture that made me feel safer.

“What should we expect?” Maggie whispered.

Garrick’s features turned grim. “The unexpected. The Hollows are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Stay close, and whatever you do, don’t wander off.”

We formed a tighter group as we approached the edge of the woods.

Justice scanned the sky and behind us. “We’ve lost the demons and Maci for now, but there are shadows all around us.She could be hiding, watching us, waiting for the right moment to attack.”

Fear slid down my spine like a glittering snake. “That’s comforting.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.”

I stared into his earnest eyes and believed him with all my heart.

As Justice led us into the shadow of the towering trees, the air grew thick and heavy. Each breath became a laborious task, as if I was fighting an invisible force. Tendrils of mist curled around my ankles, and strange, muffled sounds emanated from deep within the woods.

The temperature dropped noticeably, my breath visible in small, wispy clouds.

Justice’s fingers intertwined around mine. Despite his usual stoicism, I caught a flicker of concern in his eyes as he surveyed our surroundings.

“The Hollows are directly ahead,” Garrick stated in a low, tense voice. “Remember, nothing here is as it seems. Trust your instincts but not your eyes.”

A shudder ran through me, goosebumps rising on my arms despite the layers I wore.

As I ventured deeper into the forest, the feeling of being watched intensified. Every shadow seemed to move, every rustle of leaves felt deliberate. As if Maci was messing with us, trying to get us to make a mistake. Even with Garrick’s knowledge guiding us, the Forgotten Hollows loomed ahead, a daunting unknown filled with dangers I could scarcely imagine.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Justice abruptly halted, his body tensing like a coiled spring, and I stumbled into his broad back. The solid wall of his muscles barely gave under my impact, a stark reminder of his inhuman strength.

The air thickened with tension, making it harder to breathe.

My head swam, vision blurring as if a flock of birds had taken flight inside my skull. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the strange sensation. A wave of dizziness washed over me, my stomach churning with an inexplicable unease.

“What’s wrong?” I mumbled, my tongue feeling oddly heavy in my mouth. “Why did you stop?”

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