Chapter 71. A Village in Shadow

Ally's POV

The scent of the sea mingles with that of damp earth as we stride through the dense underbrush, our boots sinking slightly into the moist soil. I can feel Dawn's restlessness within me, mirroring my own unease. Elliot moves beside me like a shadow, his presence a constant comfort despite the uncertainty ahead.

"Ally," he whispers, drawing my attention to his vivid green eyes that seem to capture the very essence of the forest around us. "We need to be cautious. The mainland is unfamiliar territory."

I nod, gripping the leather strap of my satchel tighter. "I know. But if there's any chance of finding out who this witch is- the one under Nathan's control- we have to take it."

Elliot's brow furrows, a silent storm brewing behind his gaze. "You're thinking about Nathan again." It's not a question; it's a statement laced with concern.

I let out a sigh that fogs in the