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And that is all he gives me. With another grin, Ash turns on his heel and heads down the narrow hallway toward the stairs. Reluctantly, I follow.

The main tavern is quiet, the smell of stale ale still clinging to the air. A small plate of pastries rests on the bar. Without missing a beat, Ash grabs a couple, stuffing them into his bag. He shoves one into his mouth, then casually tosses another my way. “Let’s go,” he says between bites.

I catch the pastry with a sigh, trailing after him.

We slip through the alley back to the main road. The town looks different in the morning, eerily still, shrouded in fog so thick it blurs the edges of the buildings. The already quiet town feels abandoned. Most shop signs still read closed, and there isn’t a soul in sight.

Guess they’re not morning people.

I have to quicken my pace to keep up with Ash’s long strides.

The town gradually disappears behind us, swallowed by the lingering mist. The cobblestone road turns into a hard-packed dirt path before Ash veers onto a narrow trail leading into the forest.

This forest is nothing like the one I crossed on the mountain. The trees here look angry, twisted, their trunks marred by deep wounds. No leaves soften their branches. They stand tall and bare as though locked in silent agony. Fog curls along the forest floor, winding between roots and rocks, adding to the stillness.

A chill crawls up my spine.

I stick close to Ash. We are alone, but I can’t shake the feeling that something unseen watches from the shadows.

Eventually, the oppressive forest breaks open at the banks of a river. The sight takes my breath away.

The river is alive. Its waters rush and swirl with a grace untouched by the decay of the world around it. I’ve seen rivers before, of course. But it has been so long since I have been this close, it feels different. Beautiful. Free. As if it still remembers a time before the land started to bleed.

Ash drops his bag against the base of a tree. “This looks as good a place as any,” he says, stretching.

I cross my arms, raising a skeptical brow. “And what exactly am I supposed to do here? I can barely use my magic for the most menial tasks. I don’t see any candles that need lighting.”

Ash glances around the clearing, then back at me with a smirk. “We’re not out here for you to light candles, Lyra. We’re here to find your lost magic.”

I scowl, taking in my surroundings. “I don't think this is where I left it,” I joke, forcing a lightness into my tone. Then, with a hint of exasperation, I add, “How is being in the middle of nowhere supposed to help me?”

He lets out a low, amused laugh, the sound rolling off his lips. “What’s your specialty, anyway?” Ash asks, changing the subject and glancing at me with curiosity.

“Why would I tell you that?” I shoot back, folding my arms. I knew the question would come up eventually, but I’m not about to give him that answer, not until I have to.

Ash smirks. “You know what ours are. Seems only fair we get to know yours.” He pauses, then adds with a shrug, “Plus, it’d make my job a hell of a lot easier if I knew what I was working with.”

I give him a flat look. “If you help me access it, then I guess you’ll find out.”

Ash laughs, the sound light and easy. “You’re really not going to make this easy for me, are you?”

I don’t bother responding. Just grunt and cross my arms tighter.

Ash straightens, brushing off his coat like he is preparing for something serious. “Fine. Challenge accepted.” His grin returns. “Have a seat on the ground. Cross your legs. Close your eyes.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.” He nods, expression deadpan. “Looks like you’re just going to have to trust your teacher this time.”

He chuckles softly, and though I roll my eyes, I lower myself to the ground. My legs crossed, eyes closed. “Now what?” I ask, skeptical.

“Simple,” Ash says, as if it is simple. “Clear your mind. Feel for your magic.”

I crack one eye open to glare at him. “You want me to meditate the magic out of me?”

“To put it plainly, yes.” His lips twitch with amusement. “If you can still your mind, you’ll feel the tug of your power. Follow that pull, and you’ll find your magic.”

He gives a casual shrug, as if it is the easiest thing in the world.