Lauren opened her eyes to the sound of crashing waves. She found the light from above blinding, and she soon realized she was lying somewhere outdoors with the sunlight directly hitting her face. She rose carefully and her brows furrowed in confusion. She was in some place she had never been before—on a shore she was sure wasn't anywhere in Evardin.
The smell of salty air was so potent that for a second she doubted if it was a dream. The sands on her palms, the wind gusting, the wild waves that kept coming back to the shore, the calm silence in between the small earthy sounds… how could a dream be so vivid?
"Welcome to my island," said someone behind her.
She turned, and her eyes flew wide when she saw the dead priestess who talked to her months ago. Eleanor—it was the name the vicar gave her.
"I hope that expression is surprised, not horrified," the priestess said with a small smile.
