The walk is eerily silent as we move forward, with Storm closely watching our surroundings. There's no sensation in my stomach suggesting the presence of magic from the Followers, which raises an interesting question.

"Why did they have magic shields up near the house but not out here?" Storm inquires.

It's a valid point, and it doesn't make sense. Fredrick seems to have picked up on Storm and me conversing through the link. He tilts his head at me, but I subtly shake my head to signal that it's nothing important.

Our journey leads us to a solitary willow tree in the middle of a clearing, which is quite unexpected....