Immortal Consequences(106)

“I suppose you’ll just have to follow me and find out.”

The moment Olivier stepped through the gates, crossing the threshold that separated Blackwood and the woods looming around it, something shifted. A change in the atmospheric pressure. The wind picked up its pace, scattering burnt-sienna leaves beneath their feet. It hummed in Olivier’s bones, altering the way the air traveled through his lungs.

Then, without warning, the world around them darkened, gray clouds dotting the sky.

Seconds later, tiny white flakes descended upon them.

“Is this…” Emilio lifted a hand into the air. “Is this snow?”

“Looks like it,” whispered Wren a few paces behind them.

Olivier opened his mouth and let a snowflake fall onto his tongue.

“It really is snow.”

“I think we’ve established it’s snowing,” Irene muttered bitterly beneath her breath. A snowflake landed on her eyelash and she blinked it away, scowling up at the sky.

“Hurry along, nominees!” Silas called out in front of them, waving them forward. “I would recommend keeping up with my pace. You wouldn’t want to get lost in these woods.”

The farther they walked, the colder the air around them became, a frigid chill fluttering through the wind. The clouds above them darkened, shifting from feathered gray to starless black, as if the heavens were seconds away from breaking open.

“Here we are.”

Silas came to a halt in front of a clearing. It was a perfect circle cut through the woods, an opening with an unobstructed view of the darkening sky above them. Stone benches sprouted from the earth, dozens of flowers jutting out from the snow-speckled grass beneath them. Eight stone archways adorned the perimeter of the clearing, vines and various plants wrapped around the structures like ribbons.

“Where are we?” asked Josie, sniffling. “Is this part of Blackwood?”

“It doesn’t look like it,” Masika whispered warily.

“We are at a crossroads,” Silas explained, motioning toward the clearing with a sweeping gesture. “The forest we just walked through was still technically a part of Blackwood. This clearing, however, marks the end of Blackwood’s territory. The beginning of what lurks beyond.”

“And what exactly does lurk beyond?” Irene asked with an impatient sigh.

“The rest of purgatory,” Silas replied with a coy smile. “A dark and treacherous world. I know you may be used to the structure and safety found within Blackwood, but what lurks beyond is anything but safe.”

“Enough mind games.” August shoved his hands into his pockets. “Just tell us why we’re here.”

“Very well.” Silas offered him a tight-lipped smile. “As you can see, there are eight arches surrounding us. One for each of you. They are linked to a specific location within the outskirts of purgatory. Upon crossing the arch, you will materialize at these various locations, separated from the rest of the group. Once you arrive, you are meant to locate an elixir that will allow you to dismantle an illusion. You will have exactly one hour.”

“That’s it?” Irene scoffed. “An illusion?”

“It’ll be more complex than you think, Ms. Bamford.”

“What happens after we dismantle it?” asked Wren, arms clamped tightly over her chest.

“You must find the original arch and cross through it. You’ll emerge in this clearing and walk back to Blackwood and meet me and the remaining nominees at Bonestrod.”

The remaining nominees. Olivier shivered. He knew what those words meant…that some of them weren’t coming back.

“Fine,” Irene snapped. “Can we just get this over with?”

Silas clapped his hands and the sound rang in the air, echoing all around them.

“Very well. Nominees…please pick an arch.”

For a split second, nobody moved. It was like they were trying to memorize each other’s faces. Like they were trying to stop time and preserve the moment somehow.

Silas let out a sigh. “I understand your hesitation, but we must get moving. We’re on a tight schedule.” He glanced down at the pocket watch tucked into his coat. “Ah…please forgive my early departure, but I’m afraid there is some business I must attend to. You may commence the trial, and I’ll meet those who remain at Bonestrod.” He smiled up at them through his dark lashes. “Good luck.”

From one breath to the next, he vanished, disappearing within a cloud of black smoke.

Irene approached the arch first. She was moments away from stepping through when Masika made a small noise—a startled gasp of disbelief.

Irene froze, hands clenched. “What?”

“You’re not going to say bye?” Masika said incredulously. It wasn’t a question—it was an accusation. Her voice wavered with every word. “After everything we just learned? What if one of us doesn’t make it? What if this is the last time we see each other?”

Olivier held his breath. The silence was thick enough to drown in.

Irene stared back, lips parted. Olivier swore he saw a tiny flicker of regret behind her eyes, but it quickly dissipated, replaced by that cold and unforgiving look of determination she had been wearing since Silas had told them the truth.

“What difference does it make?”