Chapter 26: Corrupted Heart

With every step, the forest around us grew colder, darker, scarier. Further down into the Depths we went, feeling keen, as if even the tiniest sound or movement could hide something dangerous. It was as if the road in front of us lived-moving, dark energy creeping through the earth-beat, so to say, like veins that led to some huge monster that was hiding deep in the woods. 

Silvermane went first, silvery fur glowing starkly in that crushing gloom. From time to time, her ears would flutter as if she caught faint sounds-a thing beyond our range of hearing. Ember kept close to me, her tail flicking with controlled antipathy, her golden eyes glinting in the gloom. 

"I don't like this," she whispered, her voice strained. "It's like the whole forest is watching us.".