Page 32 of From Frost to Flame

“Thanks. Uck, this place is disgusting.” Lex scowled.

“Yeah, it is.” Silas searched for a tentacle dangling from a tree as they walked further into the black forest. Castor and the others were so far ahead he couldn’t see them through the oozing trees.

She’s not in my head this time, so it must just be the forest playing tricks on me.

“What do you mean she’s not in your head?” Lex asked.

Silas blinked a few times as the words sank in. “Wait. What did you ask me?”

“What do you mean, she’s not in your head? That sounds rather concerning.”

Silas stared at Lex. He was certain he hadn’t spoken out loud, but only soul bound mates could slip in and out of each other’s thoughts. The idea of Lex experiencing some effects of the bond made his heart skip. “You heard me? You’re sure?”

“Huh?” Lex frowned. “Obviously, I did. Why are you looking at me like that?”

“What was it like?” His excitement pressed his words out quicker.

“What was your voice like?” Lex shook his head. “It was your voice. I don’t understand the question.”

“Was it clear? Was it like I’m talking to you now, or was it different?”

“You were just talking to yourself, so it was mumbled. Are you going to tell me who was in your head or not? Did The Ravenous One hurt you?”

Silas's mind was spinning with questions. Everything suggested only werewolf mates could bond this way.This shouldn’t be possible.

“Why would hearing you speak not be possible? Are you sick? Perhaps something in the ink is toxic to werewolves.”

“Silas! You need to come up here,” Castor’s urgent voice came from up ahead.

Silas hesitated, then forced himself to refocus. “The ink isn’t toxic. I’ll explain everything later. For now, let’s see what they need.” Lex grumbled but agreed.

They caught up to the trio, and Silas instantly knew something was off. His brother held back thorny blackberry branches and stared wide-eyed at whatever lay ahead. Julian and Mora were stunned, their mouths agape.

Clutching Lex’s hand, Silas stepped forward to see what had them hypnotized. He was ready for more tar pits or rough terrain. What he saw made him lightheaded.

Instead of unexplored tundra and oozing fruit trees, there was an expanse of black grass. A permanent layer of frost painted all the dark blades, making them brittle. A path of glittering black gravel, lined by manicured onyx-colored hedges dotted with frozen white roses, wound through the grass. The roses and gravel split off, creating symmetrical patterns. The ornate landscape had statues of nonhuman warriors carved out of obsidian on top of matching stone pedestals and tiered white quartz fountains scattered throughout.

“Wow!” Lex gasped. “It’s a garden!”

He and his family walked forward. looking at the space in awe. Castor stayed next to Silas at the entrance.

“Interesting editorializing you did back there about our past,” Castor said, looking at the frosted garden. “When are you going to tell Lex the truth?”

“He doesn’t need to know. No one does.”

“Silas, look at where we are.” Castor scoffed. “You need to tell him.”

“Come on,” he snipped, ignoring him and following Lex. “I don’t want to leave the vampires alone. Stay close to Julian and Mora.”

The frozen lawn crunched under their feet as they pressed forward. The border of the garden was a far-off line of magnolia trees with black leaves and crisp, frozen flowers.

“This place looks unreal,” Julian said, walking ahead with Mora. His eyes moved from statue to statue. “The sculptures are shockingly detailed.”

“It’s like a charcoal painting,” Mora agreed. She brushed a hand against the dusting of ice on the rose petals, letting the ice crystals fall to the gravel path. Black ink slowly oozed from the center of the rose and spilled to the ground. “It’s beautiful in an unsettling way.”

Silas didn’t see beauty. He saw The Ravenous One pressed into every petal, blade of grass, and corner of the sky. “A piece of her soul must be here. Stay alert and keep an eye out for it. I assume her soul will be noticeable, so keep your eyes open. You three stay to the right. Lex and I will search to the left. Shout if you spot anything.”

Silas trailed behind Lex. He felt The Ravenous One’s gaze burning into him and his eyes darted around the garden, trying to spot her.

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