Behind the Sunashi Mountains somewhere deep inside the forest. The chamber was dim, lit only by candles flickering with green and violet flames. The stench of smoke, iron, and blood lingered in the stale air. Jeremy stood at the center of a sigil-inscribed circle, hands clasped behind his back.
"She did it," he muttered, eyes narrowed. His voice echoed around the stone walls. "She actually sealed the rupture."
A low growl echoed from the shadows. "You told us it would consume her."
"She's stronger than I anticipated," he said sharply. "The Moon Goddess gave her more than healing and foresight."
He turned, eyes glowing faintly red now, and gazed at the scrying pool where Eila's image flickered—sleeping in her tent, flanked by her possessive mates.
"She doesn't even know what she truly is," Jeremy murmured, voice reverent and bitter all at once. "Not yet."
From the far end of the room, a robed figure stepped forward, kneeling at the edge of the circle. "The second rift on the eastern slope is reacting. Shall we proceed?"
Jeremy's smile was razor-sharp. "Yes. Let her bask in her victory. The next one won't be so merciful."
He waved a hand, and the sigils on the floor ignited with violet light. "Send in the Wraithborn. Let her feel the cost of interfering in what she doesn't understand."
The flames flared higher as Jeremy stepped back from the pool.
"Let the Moon's little favorite learn what it means to defy a forgotten god."
Back at the Glen – Just Before Dawn
Eila stirred from sleep, heart pounding, though she didn't know why.
She reached out for Leonard, who had stayed awake by her side all night. His fingers intertwined with hers without question.
"I felt something," she whispered.
Leonard's gaze sharpened instantly. "A dream?"
"No," she murmured. "A ripple. Like… something else has opened. Somewhere far."
Lukas and Zois appeared moments later, sensing her alertness. Lukas pressed a hand to her forehead, not for fever this time, but for reassurance.
"It's starting again, isn't it?" Zois asked grimly.
Eila nodded, eyes narrowing toward the horizon, though she couldn't yet see it.
Jeremy Soren was moving again.
And this time, she'd be ready.