The journey stretched over a day now, each mile more isolating than the last. December's icy grip only tightened the further they traveled, the once-busy roads thinning into desolate paths as they ventured deeper into the wilderness. Lena sat in the backseat of the sleek black car, her body still aching from her recent ordeal, though her mind spun faster than the snowflakes falling outside. She kept her distance from Damien, who lounged in the front passenger seat with an air of indifference, his sharp profile illuminated by the pale light of the overcast sky. the brothers had taken turns and kept driving throughout the night
Her eyes lingered on him for a moment, noting how unaffected he seemed by everything—the cold, the tension, the gravity of whatever awaited them. His brother, steering the car with calculated ease, was equally unfazed, his focus trained on the endless stretch of snow-dusted road ahead.
She turned her attention back to the world outside the window, the monotony of white landscapes blending together. It was freezing, and the heater barely cut through the chill that seeped into her bones. For the first time, she allowed herself to wonder where they were taking her—and why.
It was only now that she noticed the shift.
They said they were nearing their destination when the scenery changed, almost as if an invisible line had been drawn in the snow. On one side, the road gleamed wet beneath a weak sun, with patches of green stubbornly clinging to life despite the season. But as the car rolled forward, the warmth vanished abruptly, swallowed by a heavy, unnatural cold.
Lena shivered, her breath fogging up the window as she peered outside. The trees were cloaked in a dense frost, their branches twisted and gnarled, as though straining against the weight of the ice. The snow was thicker here, untouched and pristine, stretching out like an endless canvas. The air itself felt different—heavier, charged with an unplaceable tension that made her skin crawl.
"What... what is this place?" she asked, her voice hesitant, breaking the silence that had stretched between them for hours.
Damien glanced back at her, his golden eyes gleaming with a predatory light that sent a shiver racing down her spine. "You're in his territory now," he said simply, his tone tinged with dark amusement, as if the answer should have been obvious.
"Who's he?" Lena pressed, her unease growing with each passing second.
He smirked but didn't elaborate. "You'll see soon enough, little shadow."
The car slowed as they approached a remote cabin nestled deep within the woods. The structure looked ancient, its dark wood warped and weathered by time, but it stood strong against the harsh elements. Smoke curled lazily from the stone chimney, the only sign of life in this otherwise barren expanse.
The moment Lena stepped out of the car, the cold slammed into her like a physical force. The snow crunched beneath her boots as she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, her breath fogging in the air. Her eyes darted around, taking in the eerie stillness of the place. It was too quiet, as though the world itself was holding its breath.
"Stay close," Damien's brother said, his voice low and steady as he stepped toward the cabin.
Lena followed reluctantly, her boots slipping on the icy path as she hurried to keep up. Damien lingered behind, his movements unhurried, his sharp gaze scanning their surroundings as though expecting trouble.
When they reached the door, Damien's brother knocked once, the sound echoing ominously in the stillness. A long moment passed before it creaked open, revealing a tall man with striking, otherworldly features. His pale skin was almost translucent, his silver hair falling in loose waves around his shoulders. But it was his eyes that held Lena's attention—cold and calculating, an unnatural shade of violet that seemed to pierce through her.
"You're late," he said, his voice smooth but laced with disapproval.
Damien shrugged, brushing past him without a word. His brother offered a curt nod before following, leaving Lena standing awkwardly in the doorway.
"Well?" the man said, his gaze flicking to her. "Are you coming in, or do you plan to freeze to death out there?"
Lena hesitated but stepped inside, the warmth of the cabin a stark contrast to the bitter cold outside. Her eyes roamed the space, taking in the shelves lined with jars and vials, the strange symbols etched into the wooden beams, the faint smell of herbs and something metallic.