Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 391(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Unfortunately, I would have to see the Outer Realm another time.
I had a stubborn demon to save.
I wish we would have gotten here when it was daytime.
I held Jade in my arms and stood on the edge of the Invisible Forest. My stomach twisted with nervousness as I looked into the darkness. The trees swayed side to side like weaving snakes.
The forest's canopy overhead was a dark emerald ceiling of shimmering leaves, so dense it blocked out the moon and stars.
The swaying grass was three feet tall and curled at the tips. Each time the warm breeze moved them, their tips uncurled my way and then rolled back as if beckoning me to come forward, as if trying to lure me.
Do you remember me, Mama Forest?
Zoe trembled on my side. “I do not think we should go in there. Something is wrong about this place.”
“It's fine.”
Jade raised her head and turned. “Mommy, I'm scared.”
“It will be okay, little one. Trust mommy.”
Jade gave me a slow nod and clung to me tighter, laying her face against my shoulder. For years I had fought and battled to get my daughter back. The overwhelming feeling of relief washed through me, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough.
I needed Azar next to me too.
Unfortunately, the damn demon had seeped into my heart.
You gave your life to save us, Azar? How could you think that I would leave you in Adae’s dungeon and not at least try to come back for you?
Zoe disturbed my thoughts. “If this forest is so safe, then, why are you standing here and not boldly walking in?”
“Because I'm scared of something else.”
“And I am scared because it looks like there are tons of things in here that will kill us.”
“Well. . .” I gave him a sad smile.
“What?”
“There are tons of things in this forest that could kill us.”
Silver dust puffed around him. Zoe backed up. “Fatou. . .”
“The centaurs are the deadliest creatures in here. But, if you don't bother the centaurs then they won't bother you.”
Zoe widened his eyes in fear. “This was not the plan, Fatou. Right now, we are supposed to be nice and safe in the Outer Realm.”
“Azar isn't the only one that can change plans.” I entered the forest.
Zoe followed. “Yes, but Azar said he would kill me if I didn't follow them—”
“He can't kill you if he is in Adae's dungeon—”
“But, you are trying to free him.”
“And when I do, Azar will be so happy that he is free, he will not care about killing you.” The ground was mossy and soft.
The forest smelled of wet earth and sweet flower, triggering childhood memories of play in my mind. I remember running barefoot through here as a kid and playing with the other Yumboe children.
Zoe whispered, “Why is it so eerily quiet here? Usually, you hear crickets or grass rustling or something.”
“The Invisible Forest makes no sound unless it wants to. Right now, she is figuring us out.”
“The what? Where are we?”
Without telling Zoe the location, I had given Zoe a picture to teleport us here. He had done so with ease, but now I had to tell him the truth of our mission.
I let out a long breath. “We are in Senegal.”
Zoe shrieked. “You have us on the continent of Africa? We are very far from the portals.”
“Actually, Africa has more portals than any other continent due to humanity beginning here. This is where God formed his first human—”
“I am well aware of the stories. However, why are we in Senegal?”
“About 45 percent of Senegal is forested. It used to be much more. Around the 1990s humans began some sort of deforestation program. They started clearing forests for fuelwood, charcoal, and logging. Others entered the forest for poaching and wildlife trafficking—”
“But why are we here?”
“My people feared that the humans would clear all the forests, so they united with elves, centaurs, and others to protect a portion of the forest.” I gestured to the trees. “You can see this, but humans can't.”
“That is why it is called the Invisible Forest?”
I nodded. “The centaurs live here to protect the land. They kill any person that decides to bring the forest harm.”
Jade shivered and whispered, “Mommy. . .”
“Yes, little one.”
She pointed behind me. “They scare me.”
“Who?” I stopped and turned around.
Ten feet away, five large centaurs towered over us with swords. The top halves of their bodies represented men. Dark brown skin covered their layers of curved muscle. Gold beads hung on the ends of their braided hair.
Meanwhile, the bottom half of their bodies were the torsos of giraffes and zebras.
The centaur in the middle had a giraffe body. Keeping his sword in the air, he trotted forward and stopped two feet in front of us. His nostrils flared, inhaling our scents.
Thankfully, Zoe and Jade kept quiet.
Centaurs could be hostile and short-tempered. Their human-side made them cunning and strategic, yet they were ruled more by wild passions and animal instincts.