Mandy’s POV
We reached the edge of our next location on Thalen’s map—Whisperdeep—just before nightfall.
No one spoke as the valley opened beneath us—a vast chasm of silver mist and slanted rock, with wild winds that never seemed to stop circling.
I’d heard whispers about this place in passing, back when the Vault of Echoes was just a myth people clung to in wild theories. I’d even gossiped about it with my colleagues at work, never imagining a day would come when I’d willingly leave my life in civilization behind for the safety of ancient woods. I never thought it would be real. And even once it proved real, I never dreamed that we’d actually stand at its door.
But here we were.
And my little girl, Caitlyn… was glowing again.
It wasn’t like before, when a gentle pulse sometimes flick
