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I held my breath, waiting to see if the creature revealed itself again.
Another loud roar. I felt it vibrating in my bones. More importantly, I knew it was coming from the dirt trail.
Without hesitation, I turned and walked onto the mossy trail in front of me. I’d take any magic they could throw at me over a monster any day. I was tired of fighting off creatures.
This time, the trial grew colder with each step and I could see frost forming on the leaves. I shivered and goosebumps rose on my bare arms. Rubbing my hands over my arms, I continued forward, unsure of what I was going to find.
My breath came out in clouds and my teeth chattered. Maybe I would have been better off with the monster. It was as cold as the walk-in freezer at the restaurant I’d worked at.
Shivering, I continued forward. Was this the whole challenge of this part? Just getting through the cold? I wondered if I should turn back and chance the path with the monster. Just as I contemplated lighting a fire in my hands for warmth, I heard a rustling noise behind me.
About time I ran into a classmate. It was getting too quiet in here. I turned to see who had caught up to me.
I gasped. It wasn’t a classmate. It was the walls closing up behind me. Vines grew over the path I’d just taken, closing me in. No option to go back now.
Taking a deep breath, I rubbed my arms again and moved forward. After a few more steps, I realized I wasn’t feeling so cold anymore. Either the air was warming up or I was getting used to it. I wasn’t sure which was worse.
It was darker ahead, but I thought I could make out a circular space that appeared to have multiple pathways. At least I could get away from the weird closing walls.
I emerged into the opening and stopped walking. There were five different doors in front of me. None of them were open as I’d seen in the past. I had a feeling that some of those doors were more dangerous than others.
Moving closer, I reached out to see if I could sense anything behind them. With a creak, one of the doors opened. I jumped back, wondering which of my classmates ended up here.
The person who stepped through the door wasn’t a classmate. It felt like ice was running through my veins as dread seeped into every cell in my body.
“This is impossible,” I said. “You have to be an illusion. You’re in prison. They took you away.”
“Little fae, you didn’t think their prison would keep me locked up, did you? I’m not like your old teacher.” The shadow fae smiled at me.
“Your mate, you mean?” I asked. “You left her there?”
“She might be my mate, but she betrayed me. She deserves what she’s getting.” He took a step toward me. “You know who else betrayed me? You. And it’s your turn to pay.”
I glanced behind me, wondering if I should run. The trail I’d come through no longer existed.
I was trapped and alone.
