Root of Deception

ntricately carved wooden charm resting in the palm of his hand. He turned it over, examining the str

sion a mix of fear and determination. She was reliving the past, t

," Liam said, his voice qu

wasn't. Outgoing, vibrant, full of life. She loved these mountains, just like I do, but i

pened?" L

hiking, just like she always did, and she never came back. They searched for wee

Silent Path was inv

a coincidence. My father knew about them. He warned me,

ce?" Lia

that they were powerful, that they had se

"And you think they'

t. They sent... something." She shuddered, remem

Liam asked, h

sn't human. It was small, pale, with large, dark ey

e. He was a cop, a man of logic and reason,

her's research?" he asked. "Did

field notes, his research papers. They're all here.

e a look,"

ues about the orchid. Her father's writing was meticulous, detailed, and filled with botanical observations and scien

, pointing to a passage in one of the journals. "He beli

at?" Lia

"Just that it had the poten

m asked, raisi

The balance of nature, the balance of life. He belie

g. The Silent Path, the orchid, her sister's

a mixture of fear and determination. She was a woman hau

" he said. "We need to find out what they want w

xed on the charm. "We wil

spoken fears and unanswered questions. Outside, the fog swirled a

ded trees. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were bei

need to be careful," he said. "We're dealing with

arm. "I know," she said. "But we can't

ing in the fog. They were drawing them deeper into the mystery, into a world of secrets and shadows