The two of them walked in silence until the forest slowly opened into a small clearing.
At the center of it was a glistening lake.
Its surface was calm, like polished glass, reflecting the darkening sky above. The last traces of daylight bled into the horizon, casting long shadows across the snow-dusted ground. The air was cold and still, carrying the faint scent of frost and old magic.
Pii flew ahead of them without a sound.
The moment it reached the edge of the lake, the small creature slowed and stopped, hovering meters away from two figures standing by the water.
Ren and Evie came to a halt.
Both of them stiffened.
Standing near the lake was Sebastian.
And beside him was someone Evie had never seen before.
