Chapter 184

Celena's Perspective Something... shattered. Through that warm field of the soul that connects all of us, a bone-chilling wave suddenly swept over.  Sadness, like a soaked blanket covering the mouth and nose, pain, sharp as shards of glass stirring, and... fear, a heavy and guilt-ridden fear. My heart skipped a beat. What happened? Jacob? Lily? “What's wrong, everyone?” I tentatively probed the link, as if touching fragile butterfly wings. No response. There was only a oppressive silence, so heavy that it was suffocating. The link remained, but it felt... distant, as if I were separated by an invisible glass barrier. “Jacob?” I tried again, calling the name that brought me comfort, the one I subconsciously believed was bound to my fate. What came back through the link was... chaotic darkness, intense physical pain, and a deeper, swampy emotion I couldn't fathom. He had shut himself off. Panic began to coil around my heart like a vine. Finally, Lily&#