AI The air in Richmond Park was thick with the scent of damp earth and something older, something that clung to the trees like a whisper . Aurora Carter adjusted the strap of her backpack, her fingers brushing the cold silver of the Heartstone pendant around her neck. The pulse of warmth beneath her skin was faint, barely perceptible, but it was there—just as it had been since she’d left London hours ago. She’d come to The Fae Grove for a reason, but the moment she stepped through the standing stones, the weight of it settled in her bones.
The grove was supposed to be a place of transition, a threshold between worlds. But now, as she walked the narrow path between the ancient oaks, the air felt wrong . Not just the usual quiet of the night, but something deeper, something that pressed against her like a living thing. The wildflowers swayed in the breeze, their petals trembling as if in slow motion, though the wind itself seemed to have stopped.
Aurora’s breath came shallow. She’d expected the grove to be eerie, but not like this. Not like this *hungry *. The trees loomed taller than she remembered, their branches twisting unnaturally, as if reaching for something unseen . The standing stones at the edge of the clearing loomed larger, their carvings worn but unmistakable—figures that seemed to watch her from the dark .
She stopped, her pulse hammering in her ears. The Heartstone pulsed again, a faint, rhythmic warmth against her skin. *This is where it’s supposed to be *, she thought, though the certainty didn’t ease the creeping dread. The grove was supposed to be a place of passage, but now it felt like a cage .
A sound.
Aurora froze. There was nothing. No wind, no rustling leaves, no distant animal. But then—just for a second—she thought she heard it: a whisper , a voice that wasn’t quite human, slithering through the branches . She turned slowly, her heart pounding , but the trees were empty.
The air grew colder. The flowers around her withered, their petals curling inward. Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She’d come here for a reason, but now she wasn’t sure what that reason was anymore.
Then she saw it.
A shape, just beyond the edge of her vision, moving too fast to be real. A figure standing among the roots of the oldest oak, its form shifting, dissolving, then reforming—something that wasn’t quite human, not quite animal, but something else entirely . Aurora’s stomach twisted. She’d never seen anything like it before.
She took a step forward, her boots sinking into the damp earth. The pendant burned against her skin, its warmth intensifying, as if it sensed the danger. The figure turned, its gaze locking onto hers. Aurora’s breath hitched. It wasn’t looking at her—it was *seeing * her, as if she were something precious, something rare.
Then the whisper came again, louder this time, closer. Aurora’s blood turned to ice. The voice was familiar , but she couldn’t place it. It was like a memory she couldn’t quite recall, a voice that had once belonged to someone she knew, but now belonged to something else entirely .
Aurora’s hands shook. She reached for the pendant, her fingers brushing the cold metal. The warmth pulsed , a warning, a promise. She had to move. She had to get out of here.
But the figure was already there, standing between her and the path back to the standing stones. Its form was unsteady, shifting like smoke, but it was there, blocking her way. Aurora’s mind raced . She’d come here for a reason, but now she wasn’t sure what that reason was anymore. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do.
The pendant pulsed again, its warmth seeping into her skin. Aurora closed her eyes, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps. She had to think. She had to find a way out.
Then the figure spoke.
Its voice was like the rustling of leaves, but it was clear, precise, and *wrong *. Aurora’s stomach lurched . It was asking her a question, but she couldn’t understand the words. She only knew that she had to answer.
Aurora opened her eyes, her gaze locked onto the figure. She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the standing stones, to the world beyond the grove. But the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
She took a deep breath. She had to think. She had to find a way to escape.
The pendant pulsed again, its warmth intensifying. Aurora reached for it, her fingers brushing the cold metal. She had to act. She had to do something.
Then the figure moved, its form dissolving into the darkness. Aurora’s breath caught in her throat. She had to run. She had to get out of here.
She turned and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth. The standing stones loomed ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark. Aurora didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She ran, her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The standing stones were closer now, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark. Aurora’s mind raced . She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
Then she saw it—a path, a way out. The standing stones were the only thing that made sense. She had to get through them. She had to get out of here.
Aurora took a deep breath. She had to do it. She had to make it through.
The standing stones loomed ahead, their carvings worn but unmistakable. She took a step forward, her boots sinking into the damp earth. The pendant pulsed again, its warmth intensifying. She had to make it through. She had to get out of here.
Then the figure was there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark. Aurora’s breath hitched. She had to run. She had to get out of here.
She turned and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth. The standing stones were closer now, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark. Aurora didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She ran, her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark. Aurora’s mind raced . She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
Then she saw it—a light, a way out. The standing stones were the only thing that made sense. She had to make it through. She had to get out of here.
Aurora took a deep breath. She had to do it. She had to make it through.
The standing stones loomed ahead, their carvings worn but unmistakable. She took a step forward, her boots sinking into the damp earth. The pendant pulsed again, its warmth intensifying. She had to make it through. She had to get out of here.
Then the figure was there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark. Aurora’s breath caught in her throat. She had to run. She had to get out of here.
She turned and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth. The standing stones were closer now, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She ran, her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. She had to make it through. She had to get out of here.
Then the light appeared, a faint glow at the edge of the stones. She took one last look back, her heart pounding in her chest. The figure was still there, but it was fading, dissolving into the darkness. Aurora took a deep breath and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth.
The standing stones were ahead, and she made it through, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She stepped into the world beyond the grove, her heart pounding in her chest. She was safe. She was out of here.
But as she turned to look back, she saw it—the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora’s breath hitched. She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
She turned and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth. The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She ran, her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. She had to make it through. She had not yet escaped.
She took a step forward, the cold stone biting into her palms. The air here was different, heavier, as if the grove’s influence lingered even beyond the stones. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a faint, steady glow. She had to keep moving.
Then she heard it—a sound like dry leaves skittering across stone. She turned, her pulse roaring in her ears, and saw the figure again, standing just beyond the edge of the clearing. It was smaller now, more defined, its form shifting like smoke caught in a draft. Its gaze locked onto her, and Aurora’s stomach twisted.
She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
The pendant pulsed again, its warmth intensifying. Aurora took a deep breath and stepped forward, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She ran, her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The standing stones were closer now, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. She had to make it through. She had to get out .
She took one last look back, her vision blurring with tears. The figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora turned and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth. The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
She didn’t stop. She didn’t look back.
The standing stones loomed ahead, their ancient carvings etched into the stone like warnings. Aurora took a deep breath and ran, her heart pounding in her chest. The pendant burned against her skin, its warmth a steady, unyielding glow.
She made it through the stones, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. The world beyond was familiar , the air clean and sharp. She turned, her gaze sweeping the clearing, but the figure was gone .
Aurora collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had made it out. She had escaped.
But as she sat there, the weight of what had happened settled over her like a shroud. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a faint, steady glow. She had come here for a reason, but now she wasn’t sure what that reason was anymore.
She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
Aurora closed her eyes, her breath coming in shallow gasps. She had to think. She had to find a way to make sense of it all.
Then she heard it—a sound like dry leaves skittering across stone. Aurora’s breath hitched. She opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping the clearing.
The figure was there, standing just beyond the edge of the trees. It was smaller now, more defined, its form shifting like smoke caught in a draft. Its gaze locked onto her, and Aurora’s stomach twisted.
She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
Aurora took a deep breath and stood, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth intensifying. She had to make it through.
She took a step forward, her gaze locked onto the figure. It was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora didn’t stop. She didn’t look back. She ran, her heart pounding in her ears, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
The standing stones were ahead, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. She had to make it through. She had to get out .
She turned and ran, her boots pounding against the damp earth. The standing stones were closer now, but the figure was still there, its form shifting, its voice a whisper in the dark.
Aurora’s mind raced . She had to get out of here. She had to find a way back to the world beyond the grove.
The pendant pulsed again, its warmth a steady, unyielding glow. Aurora took a deep breath and ran, her heart pounding in her chest.
She made it through the stones, her breath coming in sharp, desperate gasps. The world beyond was clean and sharp, the air crisp and familiar . She turned, her gaze sweeping the clearing, but the figure was gone .
Aurora collapsed to her knees, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had made it out. She had escaped.
But as she sat there, the weight of the grove pressed down on her like a physical force. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a faint, steady glow. She had come here for a reason, but now she wasn’t sure what that reason was anymore.
She had to go. She had to leave before it was too late.
Aurora stood, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The standing stones were behind her, the grove fading into the distance. She took a deep breath and turned, her gaze locked onto the familiar path back to the city.
But as she walked, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t alone. The air was thick with something unseen, something that clung to her like a second skin. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a steady, unyielding glow.
Aurora’s breath came in shallow gasps. She had to get out of here. She had to find a way to make sense of it all.
She walked, her boots pounding against the damp earth, her gaze locked onto the path ahead. The grove was behind her, but the feeling of being watched lingered, a shadow that followed her like a ghost.
Aurora stopped, her breath coming in sharp gasps. She had to think. She had to find a way to make sense of it all.
The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth intensifying. She had to make it through.
She took a deep breath and turned, her gaze sweeping the clearing. The standing stones were ahead, but the feeling of being watched lingered, a shadow that followed her like a ghost.
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant. She had to get out . She had to leave before it was too late.
She took a step forward, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The air was different here, heavier, as if the grove’s influence lingered even beyond the stones.
Aurora took another step, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a steady glow.
She had to make it through.
Aurora turned, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. The standing stones were closer now, but the feeling of being watched persisted, a whisper in the dark.
She took a deep breath and ran, her boots pounding against the earth. The pendant burned against her skin, its warmth a steady glow.
She made it through the stones, her breath coming in sharp gasps. The world beyond was clean, the air crisp and familiar .
Aurora stopped, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had made it out. She had escaped.
But as she stood there, the weight of the grove pressed down on her. The Heartstone pulsed faintly, its warmth a reminder of what she’d faced.
She had to go. She had to leave before the influence of the grove took hold.
Aurora turned, her gaze sweeping the familiar path back to the city. The standing stones were behind her, the grove fading into the distance.
She took a deep breath and walked, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The air was clean, but the feeling of being watched lingered, a shadow that followed her like a memory she couldn’t quite recall .
Aurora’s fingers tightened around the pendant. She had to get out . She had to leave before it was too late.
She walked, her breath coming in shallow gasps, the path ahead familiar but the air around her heavy with something unseen. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a faint, steady glow.
She had to make it through.
Aurora stopped, her gaze fixed on the distant glow of London. The standing stones were behind her, the grove’s influence fading, but the feeling of being watched remained.
She took a deep breath and turned, her boots sinking into the earth. The path was clear, the air clean.
But as she walked, the Heartstone pulsed again, its warmth intensifying. Aurora’s breath hitched. She had made it out, but something was still wrong .
She had to leave. She had to go.
Aurora walked faster, her boots pounding against the earth. The standing stones were behind her, the grove’s influence fading, but the feeling of being watched clung to her like a second skin.
She reached the edge of the trees, her breath coming in sharp gasps. The city was ahead, the familiar glow of lights a beacon .
Aurora stopped, her gaze sweeping the familiar streets. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a steady glow.
She had made it out. She had escaped.
But as she stood there, the weight of what she’d faced settled over her like a shroud. The feeling of being watched lingered, a shadow that followed her like a memory she couldn’t quite recall .
Aurora took a deep breath and turned, her gaze fixed on the familiar path ahead. The city was close now, the lights twinkling like stars against the night sky.
She had to leave. She had to go.
Aurora walked, her boots sinking slightly into the damp earth. The air was clean, but the feeling of being watched persisted, a whisper in the dark.
She reached the end of the path, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The Heartstone pulsed against her skin, its warmth a faint, steady glow.
Aurora stopped, her gaze sweeping the familiar streets. The city was ahead, the lights twinkling like stars against the night sky.
She had made it out. She had escaped.
But as she stood there, the weight of the grove pressed down on her. The feeling of being watched lingered, a shadow that followed her like a ghost.
Aurora took a deep breath and turned, her gaze fixed on the familiar path ahead. The city was close now, the lights waiting just beyond the horizon.
She had to leave. She had to go.
Aurora walked, her boots pounding against the earth, the Heartstone burning against her skin. The feeling of being watched was still there, but she was safe now. She was out of the grove.
She had made it.