61| The Key

"What happened to your room?"

Rain looked around the room that had previously been Jace's private room. She couldn't believe that the room was now filled with lots of vines, twisted tree branches, fallen leaves, and even bits of wet soil that had been carried away.

"Careful, watch the steps--"

Before Jace finished speaking, Rain's head hit one of the tree branches wrapped around Jace's bedpost. Rain backed away in a panic, but instead, she tripped over a plant root.

Jace grabbed Rain's waist quickly and held her back so she wouldn't fall over.

Rain paled. She was confused and felt stupid. "Thank you. Can you explain what this is?"

"These plants are angry because I left the palace for a few days. They swell and twist everywhere every time I use the power of the runes on my body. They are like a curse bound to my body. These plants represent the black energy that resides within my soul."

"Does that mean the black energy in your body is getting bigger?"

"They will get bigger with