Blood moon's shadow's

nted with dusky clouds, and the sun hung low, casting golden streaks through the thick canopy of trees that loomed over

trast to the choking smog of the city she'd left behind. Black Hollow was quiet-too q

ain Street," she whispered. Her aunt had scribbled the address before Lena left. With one last look at the bu

ell above the door chimed as she stepped inside, and the sudden warmth made her shiver. The lobby was dimly lit

a reservation," Lena said, her

garet." Her voice was warm, but Lena couldn't shake the feeling that Margaret was studying her a little too closely

lied, forcing a smile

ne was watching. She paused and turned, but the lobby was empty. The old chandelier swayed slight

It's just an old ho

s flitted through darkened forests. She could hear the thudding sound of footsteps-heavy and relen

weat slicking her skin despite the chill in the room. Her breath came in short gasps as she

outside cau

a f

s-two points of faint amber light-seemed to pierce through the darkness straight at her. Her heart hammered ag

peek out again, th

on, but as she entered, the room seemed to hush for just a moment-enough for her to notice the stares. Small towns, she reminde

re, huh?" a de

er eyes that seemed too intense for the morning light. A faint scar cut across his left eyebrow, but it did nothin

ht," Lena replied cauti

rmured, a smirk tugging at the co

uddenly wary of how his gaze lingered. "So... do

o arrive on the e

What's that sup

entered-a man with sharp features, silver-streaked hair, and eyes so pale they looked nearly colorle

said, his voic

all teeth as he turned to Lena. "And you must be the visitor. Welcome t

en crackled like static in the air. Ronan's smile widened b

t?" Lena asked, loo

plied, though his jaw was tight. "But if I w

ask more, but Darius was already walking away, his broad figure

t of th

ing to her-she could fe

in a valley surrounded by endless forests and jagged mountains, it felt like the edge of the world.

e back of her mind: "There's a place for yo

he friends who slipped away, and the empty apartment that had become a haunting silence. So, here she wa

sking if she was sure she wanted to stay. The engine rumbled down the winding

uildings and cozy cottages. The forest loomed everywhere, a wall of shadow and green that seemed alive with secrets. Blackwood Hol

ress her aunt had scrawled on a slip of paper.

ite paint faded to a weary gray. Vines crept up its sides, and the windows glowed faintly with warm light. The Ra

rs groaned under her boots as she approached the front desk. The woman behind it

aid, her tone matter-of-fact. "Your

d. "You kno

ere's your key." She slid a brass key across the counter. "Room 9. Up the stairs and t

rowned

re the last of the light was vanishing behind th

ed into the kitchen. The strange warning sat heavy in Len

rry sounds-distant rustling, low creaks, and, once, something that sounded like a howl. Lena tried to

flitted through the trees, moving fast-too fast. She could feel them closing in, the ground trembling beneath their weig

ir, so loud it vib

n her chest as she looked around the room. The wind outside ra

window. Slowly, she climbed out of bed and approached t

y tall-and broad-shouldered, its stance unnaturally still. Even from this distance, Lena

was that? She pressed her back against the wall, heart

ollow's only coffee shop, trying to shake the lingering unease. The place was small but cozy, with worn leather chairs and

l the presence of someone nearby drew her attention. A man s

said, his voice

et fitted across broad shoulders. He had dark, slightly wavy

through," Lena

l say that." He slid his hands in

him. "Do you always intro

o arrive right be

. "Why does everyon

Lena glanced at him and immediately felt her stomach twist. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and s

aid, his tone dro

, his voice soft yet cutting. Then he turned to Lena, his gaze lingering a

comfortably. "T

n... interesting." With that, he turned and left as q

t?" Lena asked, loo

ing you need to worry about." He turned back to Lena, and for the first tim

rowned

n he said quietly, "Because the forest

ant, but something in his voi

st loomed dark and still, bu