Chapter 223: The Phantom Fox’s Return

The fire hissed in the silence of this forest, and its romantic light painted shadows of dancing shapes around Jace and Anita. They sat in the silence together, the heavy weight of their recent trials still hanging between them in the silence. The night was peaceful, except for the murmurings of the wind among the trees and the brushing of leaves. The world seemed briefly at peace as if the whirlwind which has swept out their lives had at last blown itself out.

But then, the air shifted.

A cold wind blew through suddenly, whipping the flames of the fire into a wild frenzy, throwing slanted, unnatural shadows on the walls of the clearing. It got colder and Jace put his arm around Anita and hugged her tighter without realizing it as an uneasy feeling came over him.