The second he and the others stepped off the path, the house disappeared behind them. Dante looked briefly over his shoulder, a feeling of panic threatening to burst from his chest, but he held it back.
The last time Hattie had disappeared from his sight she came back a different woman, stronger, yes, but still not the same. Would that happen again? The next time he saw her, would she show him a new face? Or would he still be able to see the woman who held his heart in his hand?
Taking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly as he raised his head. The land in front of him was like nothing he had ever seen before. A dense fog floated at the base of the trees, covering the path in front of him.
The Devil only knew what was lurking in the mist, but this was the path set out for him. The one he was determined to walk on. What did it matter what was lurking in the darkness? Before Hattie, all he knew was the shadows, his very name enough to cause fear in all who heard it.
