Thirty-five: Last jump

Outside world

Claus' pov

It had been twenty minutes since Tristane opened the portal and Lucian went back inside. When he was convinced it was time to reopen it he had gathered his magic. I saw the trunk turned into something like a mirror. I caught a glimpse of trees and a wide grassy land. But no one was there.

Where is Lucian?

"He's not here." Tristane said.

"Yet. Hold it until he comes back." I said.

He scoffed, "I'll give him enough time. But I will close this as soon as it gets bad."

I nodded. All this witch business had been bad enough, we can't afford another one. Alpine Forest was bustling with animal activity but no one dared come near. They must've sensed the magic and were too afraid to approach.

"Didn't Lucian say something horrible happened there?" I asked him.

"He did not define what horrible was, but you can see it from here. It's a freaking paradise."