Marcus and Luca moved softly through the dense forest with their senses heightened as they followed the slightest signs of Evelyn’s trail. The night was utter silence, except for the shuffling leaves and occasional howl of distant wolves. Marcus was becoming restless. Every second they spent looking for her was a second longer that Evelyn was in Odessa’s grasp.

Luca was tense beside him, the hilt of his blade remaining skittish between his fingers. "You’re sure this is the right direction?" he whispered with his darting between the shadows.

Marcus gritted his teeth. "No. It’s the only lead we’ve got."

Before Luca could confirm Marcus' doubts, something moving in the...