By the next sunrise, the town awoke to fear.
Symbols had appeared overnight not just on homes, but carved into trees, into the school gates, even upon Melia's front door. The Hollow was here.
Seraphine returned in haste. "You must come with me now. The Hollow doesn't seek to harm you. They seek to trap your souls to stop your rebirth cycle and use your essence for power."
"They want to steal love," Jalen said, his voice deeper, older.
"Yes," Seraphine nodded. "Because love is the oldest kind of magic."
Reluctantly, Melia let the children go. Seraphine led them deep into the mountains where the earth held forgotten magic and the stars felt closer. But the Hollow was already watching.