WORLD OF EYES

chapter 3

The fiery glow of the burning house cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets as Lilith, Ferrum, and the exhausted Tristian raced back to Lilith's home in Willow's Bend. Aurelia was nowhere to be seen, having stayed behind to confront Sal and Cherry. The three friends had to trust that she could handle herself; they had a mission of their own.

The warmth of Lilith's house was a stark contrast to the icy terror they had just escaped. The familiar scent of herbs and spices from her apothecary filled the air, offering a comfort that was almost tangible. They laid her on the bed, her wet clothes clinging to her shivering body. Ferrum quickly built a fire in the hearth, the crackling flames throwing warmth and light into the cozy room.

Tristan moved to the kitchen, filling a pot with hot water from the kettle that was always ready on the stove. He added a generous handful of healing herbs that Lilith had taught him about and brought it back to the bedside. "Drink this," he instructed, his voice gruff but filled with concern. "It'll warm you up and help fight off any residual effects of that foul magic."

Lilith took the steaming mug with trembling hands, the warmth seeping into her icy fingers. She took a tentative sip, the sweet, earthy flavor of the herbs coating her tongue and soothing her throat. She felt the warmth spread through her body, chasing away the last remnants of the cold that had clung to her so fiercely. But the warmth didn't just come from the tea; it was as if a spark within her had been lit, a power that she hadn't felt before.

Ferrum, however, was not so lucky. He sat slumped in a chair by the fire, his face pale and sweaty. His eyes were glassy, and he winced with every breath he took. "What's wrong?" Lilith asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.

Ferrum tried to wave her off, his teeth clenched against the pain. "It's...it's nothing," he forced out, his voice strained. "Just...tired."

But Lilith knew better. She had felt the transfer of power when Ferrum had used his magic to warm her. It was a bond between them, a connection that she had never noticed before. Now, she could feel his energy waning, his life force weakening with every passing moment.

With a sudden urgency, she sat up, the mug of tea clattering to the floor. "Ferrum," she said, her voice firm. "Look at me." He did, his eyes clouded with pain. "What's happening?"

Ferrum took a deep, ragged breath. "It's the price of using too much magic," he whispered. "I've been feeling it since we left Shadowfall"

Tristan stepped forward, his face etched with worry. "You need to rest," he said firmly. "And let me take care of you."

Ferrum nodded weakly, his eyes never leaving Lilith's. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

With a deep breath, Lilith made a decision. She couldn't let Ferrum suffer alone. She had to find Aurelia, and together, they could figure out a way to stop Sal and Cherry once and for all. "I need to go," she said, her voice firm despite the tremble in her chest. "I have to find Aurelia and tell her what's happening."

Ferrum nodded, his grip on her hand tightening briefly. "Be careful," he warned, his eyes filled with a mix of pain and fear. "Sal is dangerous, and we don't know what he's capable of."

Lilith slipped into a dry set of clothes, the warm fabric wrapping around her like a comforting embrace. She tucked a few essentials into a small pack and headed out into the night, the cold air a stark contrast to the warmth she had left behind. The streets of Willow's Bend were eerily quiet, the only sound the distant crackle of the fire that still raged at Cherry's house.

Her heart hammered in her chest as she approached the cemetery, the air thick with the scent of burning wood and the acrid stench of dark magic. The shadows seemed to shift and whisper as she passed, hinting at the malevolent forces that had once again been unleashed in their quiet town.