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Chapter 45: The Heart of the Island
Author: LORI D. LEE
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

The islander led us through the dense jungle, her steps swift and sure. We moved as silently as we could, but the weight of our mission bore down on us. The island seemed to pulse with a life of its own, guiding us deeper into its heart.

"We need to move quickly," I said, keeping my voice low. "The cultists will be on high alert after what happened."

"Are you sure we can trust her?" Drake asked, his eyes darting to our guide. "This could be a trap."

"I don’t think it is," I said. "She’s risking a lot to help us. We have to take the chance."

Our guide, the islander, glanced back at us, her expression unreadable in the dim light. "The dark ones are gathering at the heart of the island," she said. "Your friend is there, but you must be careful. The island will test you."

"The heart of the island," Lena repeated, frowning. "What exactly does that mean?"

"The center of its power," Harlan said, his voice thoughtful. "The place where the island’s energy is strongest. It’s where the artifacts
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