Chapter 399: Through the Hollow
Meanwhile, Sophia was still at the nest.
The woman lifted her hands again.
Not pointing this time.
Not beckoning.
She mimicked a striking motion instead — palms turning inward, arms pulling back and driving forward like she was hitting the invisible surface in front of her.
Sophia stared at the gesture for half a second.
Then understanding clicked.
"You want me to hit it," Sophia murmured under her breath.
The woman nodded once, sharply.
Another hiss slithered through the nest behind them, vibrating along the resin-coated walls and bones like a warning drumbeat. The cracked eggs twitched visibly now, fissures crawling across their shells like spiderwebs ready to split apart.
Sophia didn't waste another second.
She carefully lowered Tarin onto the floor, easing him down against the wall so his head wouldn't hit the surface.
"Stay right there," she whispered, brushing his damp hair back gently. "I'll be fast."
