Zagan and Zoe were still walking through the dense woods when a sudden shock wave radiated out from the direction of the castle. It was strong enough that it pushed Zagan back several feet, his shoes sliding against the earth as he leaned forward into the blast to stay standing.
His black eyes narrowed. That either had to have come from the Winter alyko or the Luna, and at this point he wasn't sure which seemed more likely.
"Come on," he snarled, stalking off toward the castle now that the air had returned to normal.
But then it occurred to him that there was no longer the soft, reliable rhythm of Zosime's heartbeat at his back. He turned to face where she had been standing to find that she wasn't there. Zosime had literally vanished.
Zagan launched into the air and landed on a tree limb high enough to see out into the containment area of the island. There was no trace of Zoe anywhere.
