The silver mine entrance loomed before them, a dark mouth in the mountainside bordered by twisted, dead trees. No birds sang here. Even the wind seemed afraid to blow. "This is it," Rowan whispered, crouching behind a rock. "Elara's hideout." Selene's heart pounded as she peered at the mine opening. Somewhere inside was Ivy—her little sister, stuck between human and something else. "Two guards," Dante whispered, his golden eyes narrowed. "We take them quietly." Rowan nodded. "I'll circle left." "Wait." Selene grabbed Dante's arm. "Something feels wrong." "What do you mean?" he asked. "It's too easy." She frowned. "After that vision in the library, Elara knows we're coming. Why only two guards?" Dante studied the entry, then sniffed the air. "You're right. It's a trap." Rowan pointed to a small crack in the rocks nearby.