Chapter 203: Shattered Illusions
Night transitioned from deep orange toward violet while the sun faded into the horizon. The hidden glade which resided inside the dense forest woods created an ominous silence because wind breezes along with faint leaf movements became the only sounds that existed. Jace kept his body frozen in place against an ancient oak tree while leaning against its rough bark to create the false appearance of peace he had established through constant effort.
He squeezed his fist while tiny tremors moved through his fingers to push away the sickness which was destroying his internal strength. The fox bead at his chest released unsteady flickers through the night while its regular consistent glow transformed into blinking dim-paced pulses which indicated its increasing instability. The feeling of vulnerability suffocated him because it reminded him of death although he would not admit it out loud.