The Phantom Flame by T.M. Ledvina

The Phantom Flame by T.M. Ledvina

Author:T.M. Ledvina [Ledvina, T. M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798986387048
Publisher: Tia Ledvina


32

KELLAN

Alderburn

26th of Dawn Moon

The next morning they departed for the starting point of the map, their supplies refilled and additional ones purchased. They’d have to sleep outside, which was horribly unappealing to Kellan. The prospect made his skin crawl.

Vaida drove the van to the beginning of the trail, which allowed long-term parking for those venturing into the Bergamot Forest. Most people didn’t venture too deep. Instead, they’d hike along the edge of the forest, which still provided the escape into nature most were looking for.

But their small party was going farther into the forest than that. Their journey to the temple would take approximately three days on foot, according to Vaida’s calculations. The trip back, another three. The temple itself rested at the base of a mountain, one of the very first in the Ensen range.

People had traveled beyond the well-worn trails deeper into the forest, of course, but years of ghost stories told to children and warnings from nearly every local about the dangers of the forest proved that they never returned. Whether it was a lack of directions or something more sinister living in the forest, no one could really say. The forest itself was an anomaly that anyone had yet to fully understand, but not for lack of trying.

Kellan could only hope that the map would save them from whatever unfortunate fate had befallen travelers before them. After all, if there was a temple in the middle of this supposedly dangerous forest, it must mean it used to not be dangerous, right?

It didn’t look foreboding upon their arrival. In fact, it was breathtaking. The snow sparkled on the hemlock branches, the forest floor dusted in a soft coating of brown needles. It was like something out of a fairytale, a serene, sparkling sight that made Kellan suck in a breath of appreciation.

They were one of many groups getting ready to spend their time weaving through the trees. As they divided up the supplies, Vaida gave him an appraising glance. Kellan felt the unspoken question hovering between them, born of her inevitable curiosity over what had transpired with Cassian the day before.

“Spit it out,” he said, sighing.

Vaida shrugged. “I’m just waiting for you to tell me about what happened yesterday. Your ice wall is less thick today,” she said, rapping her knuckles against the air beside him, as if he really was encased in ice.

He waved her hand away, biting his lip to keep himself from smiling. She might tease him, but he didn’t mind. “We just talked. Nothing special.”

Her eyes narrowed, but she waved him off. “Sure, whatever you say.” She didn’t press further. Instead, she turned toward the other two as she hoisted her pack up and onto her back.

Liv lifted her pack with a hand, throwing it casually over her shoulder as Vaida approached. Cassian was finishing with his pack, zipping the top and lifting the straps over his shoulders. Kellan observed him carefully, waiting for him to make eye contact.

He didn’t. Instead, Cassian turned toward the trailhead, then cocked his head back to Liv.



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