our silhouettes bathed in the faint glow of the locket on the altar. The world aro

with a steady voice, despite the

r of its silver light reflecting in his eyes. When he finally spoke, his voice was

reached for Rowan's arm. He turned toward me, his expression raw and conflicted,

said softly, his voice heavy with guilt. "I've put

defiance. "Don't you dare act like this is just on you. I'm not some damsel you need to save, Rowan. I c

wing as if he couldn't believe the

? When I'm so close to the truth?" I shook my head. "I've spent my life running from things I don't

s face. He was silent for a long moment, and I could feel the intensi

rve," he murmured finally,

ant scream broke the silence. My head whipp

trying to overcome the rus

hand resting instinctively on the small b

he could move. "Then let'

dmiration and frustration. "You're relentless," he muttere

der and more anguished with each step. The trees closed in a

n and her body trembling. Strange, jagged marks snaked up her arms, glowi

r voice barely a whisper. "Th

my heart pounding as I scanned the surrounding forest. I could f

?" I asked, my voice

n. His expression darkened. "This... this isn't from the wolve

d-curdling scream. Her body convulsed violently,

pened into something inhuman. "You've awakened me," the voi

s faint glow growing brighter as I stepped fo

you?" I

r face. "You'll know soon enough," the voice replied. "The second key will show you

nocking Rowan and I to the ground. When we scrambled back to our feet, th

ath came in ragged gasps. I turned to R

," I said. "We

pale. "Evelyn, you don't un

and I reached out to touch his face, my fingers grazing his jaw. "Bu

, it felt as though the weight of the world had lifted,

" he murmured, his vo

faint smile. "You don'

to shift. The shadows grew darker, the air colder. A faint whisp

epths

oser to me, his hand brushing against mine

as my heart raced. Then I met his

lidifying even as the darkness closed in around u