Azul turned back, ready to return to Roxanna and Calen. But after only three steps, a sudden gust of icy wind tore through the maze, and it came from behind him.
It was so cold that he shivered. Even at that exact moment, Azul still couldn't sense anything. But suddenly, he heard a low growl right behind him.
"Oh, damn—"
Azul couldn't finish his words because the dark being behind him suddenly dragged him into the darkness.
Roxanna's eyes widened. "AZUL!" she screamed, shouting so hard that her throat began to ache.
Without thinking, she dashed forward, but Calen immediately grabbed her arm. "Stop!" he shouted. "It's dangerous if you run into the darkness like that!"
Her heart pounded wildly, as if it might burst from her chest. She couldn't even blink, her eyes locked on the darkness ahead.
"We can't just let that thing take him!" she cried. She spun toward Calen, her voice shaking. "I came here with Azul to save you."
