A NOT-SO-DEAD END

MAGNUS

"Sir, we found something."

These words immediately affected me, and I whirled towards the voice.

"It's a handkerchief," she continued as I rushed past her.

"We think it might have belonged to the Luna,"

I was only half aware of what she was saying as I ran towards the direction she'd come from.

For two weeks, we'd been combing through the forests with her, a professional tracker, and this was the first thing close to a lead we'd found.

"It's hers," I announced as I lowered the muddied piece of silk. It had the faint remnants of her scent, which shook me to the core.

My hands trembled, and I had to take several deep breaths to compose myself as I straightened.

"Let's keep looking," I ordered coldly, already walking away from the small group.

"That's the thing," Clara replied, moving so she could stand In front of me. "This is where her scent stops."

"Nonsense!"