AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I turn to see the hare slowly hopping toward us.
What is she doing?
“That’s one of the Cypres in their physical form. They only appear this way for me as they’re bonded to me,” I answer as the hare makes her way to my side.
I reach out and pet her soft fur as she nuzzles into me. Her tall antlers tilt out of the way.
“It’s you,” Theo says, staring slack-jawed at my creature.
“What?” I ask, confused by his statement.
“Before I passed out, when I was in the haunted forest, I saw a giant rabbit. I assumed I was hallucinating. But it was real,” he says, his fear replaced with awe.
I examine my hare and see that she is looking at Theo with the same calm affection she does at me.She knows.My heart hammers in my chest as the hare pulls herself from my side and approaches Theo. She bows her head to the side, waiting for him to pet her.
I can’t breathe as Theo runs a gentle hand over the hare’s fur. She tries to scoot closer to him, but he jerks back as her antlers lift. She quickly drops her head and slides toward him, pressing against his legs. Theo smiles and resumes petting her.
I stare at the scene before me, completely flabbergasted by it. The Cypres have let no one but me touch them, always keeping their distance when someone else is with me.
Does she know he’s my Amari? How can that be?
“What is it?” Theo asks, pausing his petting. I slowly bring my eyes to him and swallow down the lump forming in my throat.
“I don’t think anyone but me has ever touched a Cypres,” I answer.
A satisfied smile fills his face as he looks back down at the hare and strokes her soft fur.
“Maybe I’m special, after all,” he jokes.
You have no idea, Theo.
Chapter 25
Theo
Ithumb through the pages ofBattle Strategies of Omniauntil I find the section on Umbra. Leaning into the headboard, I settle in to make notes.
The details in the book are sparse and, after being here, I know them to be inaccurate. The book describes Umbra as a land devoid of anything but forests filled with monsters. The information regarding where the people live is vague, and I question if it is misinformed or intentional.
I take out the pencil Hiram retrieved for me earlier and make notes along the pages. I write everything I’ve learned so far and cross out the passages I know to be false. If I make it out of here, I’ll have an accurate description of Umbra to share with the scholars of Lux.
As I read over my writing, double-checking I haven’t missed anything, I yawn and stretch to keep myself awake long enough to finish.
“Must be a riveting book there, Captain,” Hiram teases from the cell door.
