Chapter 23: Shadow Beasts

'Hm...' Benjamin crouched down, sitting back on his heels beside the freshly laid soil and examining the new growth. 'It shouldn't be much longer now.'

The clouds moved out of the way of the sun, warming his face and illuminating the gardens.

He smiled. 'That should help.'

He stood to his feet, turning his face upward and closing his eyes, soaking in the brilliant sun of the afternoon, and he watched the light seep through his eyelids. When he opened his eyes,...