Page 34 of Vampire's Vixen

“That’s why we’re here, whether there are just five of us, or the whole class. Let’s get a move on.”

Jason turned off the trail and plunged into the undergrowth.

As Kyle, Nena, Lonny, and I followed him, it was as though a silence fell on our shoulders, and without the others around talking, the energy of the thicket surrounded us. We weren’t climbing a ravine, nor were we in such dense woodland that it felt like we were cut off from everything, but somehow, it felt like we were isolated. The parking lot was a mere ten to fifteen minutes away, but we were alone, and all around, a force was watching us, listening to us, waiting for us.

Spooked, I drew closer to Kyle. By his stance and expression, I could tell he was feeling the same way I was. When he reached out for my hand, I took it, the firmness of his grasp helping me ground and center.

The sun broke through the clouds and I welcomed the brightness. As I focused on the rays of light piercing the canopy, I heard my own breathing and realized I was taking shallow gulps of air. I stopped, and Kyle stopped with me. Taking a deep breath of air, I held it for a count of four, then slowly exhaled. The second time, Kyle joined me, and then we took one more deep breath. As the air whistled out through my mouth, I monitored myself and once again, felt grounded and present. My nerves were still on high alarm, but I wasn’t sliding into panic.

I nodded at Kyle when he looked at me, and we moved on, catching up to the others.

“Is the forest getting to you?” Jason asked.

“Yeah,” I said, not wanting to admit it.

“That’s common around here. It means we’re getting close to Hollow Hill.”

“Is it steep?” I asked.

“Is what steep?”

“The hill—Hollow Hill,” I said.

Jason blinked, then cleared his throat and turned to us. “I thought you knew. Hollow Hill isn’t a hill at all. That’s just its name. Hollow Hill is a…well…I can’t explain it. You’ll just have to see for yourself. We’re almost there.”

“It’s a good thing Tiffany didn’t come with us,” I said. “I don’t think she would have managed the walk, even though she seems in relatively good condition. The energy here is thick. It’s like walking through sludge.”

“You’re right, it is like sludge. That’s because the energy coming off of the Hollow is incredibly powerful.” Jason motioned for us to follow him again. “When we get there, I want your promise that you won’t do anything without consulting me first.”

We all promised, though his words made me nervous. “Is someone watching us?” I asked.

“I feel them too,” Kyle said.

“Not someone. Something.” But Jason wouldn’t say anything else, even though we cajoled him.

Another five minutes and he stopped. We’d come to a thick part of the copse. The undergrowth had mushroomed, and where it had been crowded before, here, it was so thick that it was hard to tell if anything was in it. And as the wall of foliage stretched in front of us, a mist rolled out from between the grasses and sedges, like steam through a strainer.

“Come,” Jason said, heading for the one opening that I could see in the wall of leaves, bushes, and grass.

As I approached the path leading in, a strong wave of fear washed over me and I backed away.

“I don’t want to go in there,” I said. “Nope…not going in.”

“It’s all right, Maisy. I’m here,” Kyle said.

“I don’t care if the entire goddamn military is here, I don’t want anything to do with whatever it is that’s in there,” I said, feeling my fear turning into panic. I seldom ever had panic attacks. What the hell was going on?

“It’s the protective nature of the Hollow,” Jason said. “That’s how it deflects anybody who might disturb it.”

“These wild places,” Kyle said. “Are we talking portal areas, or…”

“My aunt says this is where the Fae come and go. She was surprised you were bringing us here,” I said, deciding to get to the bottom of things. “Won’t the Fae be upset if we disturb them?”

Jason hesitated. “There are other portals we could travel to, but the trip would take more than a day, and the danger is greater. As I said, I received permission from the city to bring you here—there’s a fence ahead and I have the key. When we reach there, if you still want to leave, we’ll turn and go.”

The others glanced at me. Everybody looked nervous.

Finally, I shrugged. “We might as well go as far as the fence, I suppose.” Not wanting to be the deciding factor for everyone, I once again told myself that if, when we reached the perimeter and I still felt like leaving, I would.

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