Chapter 8 No Way Out

Rowan's POV

My whole body screamed at me to bolt, but where could I even go? I was stuck. Boxed in. And the worst part? I'd walked right into this myself.

Glowy eyes circled me, flickering in the fading light. The shapes moved weirdly, melting in and out of the shadows. It was like watching a heat mirage. My wolf side was itching to take over, wanting to tear things up, but I kept it down. Pure strength wouldn't cut it here. I needed to think my way out of this mess.

One of them took a step forward. It was taller than the others, and something felt wrong. The air around it shimmered, like looking through warped glass. My stomach flipped, and for half a second, my vision went blurry. Was this some kind of illusion? Or something a lot worse?

I gripped my sword hard, getting ready for anything. Who is out there? My voice sounded steady, but inside, I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Complete silence. Not even a breeze.

Then, laughter. It was low and rough, like bones grinding together. It sent shivers down my spine, that deep, unsettling feeling you get when something really unnatural is close.

"You already know." The voice oozed through the air, like poison.

A cold fear crawled into my chest. Did I know? A part of me deep down whispered that I did, but the answer wouldn't come into focus.

The figures closed in, their glowy eyes narrowed, their bodies tensed like wolves ready to pounce.

Then, a whisper. Right behind me.

Before I could even turn my head, something hit me hard. The force of it sent me flying. My sword slipped out of my hand, clattering on the rocks as I hit the ground. The air whooshed out of my lungs, and a jolt of pain shot through my back.

A boot slammed down on my chest, pinning me.

I gasped, trying to get up, but the pressure just got worse. My vision went spotty, and then a voice spoke.

Her voice.

"You should've stayed away, Rowan."

Elaria.

The world tilted. The pain, the fear – nothing compared to the punch in the gut I felt. I looked up and saw her standing over me, her face blank, her eyes cold.

"Elaria?" The word barely made it out.

She didn't even flinch. The pressure on my chest got heavier, making it hard to breathe.

What are you doing here? She asked. It wasn't a question; it was a threat.

I tried to move, but the others closed in, their glowy eyes full of silent hate. My sword was too far away. My wolf was quiet. And the only person who could save me was the woman I used to trust with my life.

She bent down, her fingers touching my throat. It was like she was checking my pulse, It was calculated. A weird test.

"You don't belong here, Rowan. You never did."

Her words stung like a knife grabbing my heart and appearance.

I gritted my teeth. "I came because something horrible is happening. Something huge. You need to listen—"

Pain exploded across my face. My head snapped to the side from the slap, and it burned like crazy. A growl rumbled through the air as the figures around us got restless, moving like animals. Elaria held up a hand, and they stopped dead.

She stood up straight. "Take him."

Before I could do anything, someone hit me to my feet. Shackles snapped around my wrists, the silver searing my skin. A chain tightened around my throat, forcing my head back. I was choking.

I fought against it, but it was of no use.

They started moving, dragging me along. Elaria led the way, not once looking back.

Branches scraped my arms as we went deeper into the woods. The air got thick, and heavy with something old. The smell of damp earth mixed with something rotting. Something was wrong.

The trees weren't normal. Their bark was twisted and gnarly, like reaching fingers. Shadows moved on the ground, stretching in a way that didn't make sense, even when there was no wind.

Then the whispering started again.

Not from the people holding me. Not from Elaria.

From the woods themselves.

I broke out in a cold sweat. I could hardly breathe. I knew the stories about places like this, places that were cursed. Forgotten places. Where magic wasn't just a story, but alive.

And we were walking right into it.

Elaria stopped.

The others stopped, too. Their glowy eyes stared straight ahead.

We were in a clearing.

The forest was dark and tangled, but this clearing looked perfect. Too perfect.

It was a trap.

A pulse of energy went through the air. In the middle of the clearing was an altar – an old stone slab covered in symbols that buzzed with power.

My stomach churned.

Not just cursed.

A place of sacrifice.

I turned to Elaria, my heart pounding. "Tell me this isn't what it looks like."

For a split second, something showed on her face. Uncertainty, doubt. She hesitated.

Then it was gone.

"You should have stayed away, Rowan." Her voice wasn't as steady now.

Then the chanting began.

Low, nasty, and wrong.

The ground shook.

A deep sound came from the altar. Black tendrils of energy shot up from it, moving in the air like living shadows.

Everywhere is blocked, No way out.

And I had walked right into it.

My vision blurred, and the chains felt heavier. My lungs burned as the chain around my throat tightened. Elaria stood there, watching, and her face unreadable.

Did she see what was happening? Did she care?

I gritted my teeth and forced the words out. "You don't get it. This isn't me."

She didn't answer. But her eyes said it all.

She thought it was.

And then, I knew there was no way out.