erhead, their gnarled branches clawing at the sky. Moss blanketed the ground, thick and s

rs and long-buried memories. No maps could chart the p

oth thrum i

ouder her wolf became. It wasn'

o

meals. This was a different kind of hom

asked, brushing a wet

y. He lifted his head, sniffing

could

pressing against the earth. Every step forward

ere, nestled between stone pillars, was a circula

breath

was

lder

nd halls. Just earth, stone, and presen

ped into

loaked in deep grey, each radiating quiet power. One of them, a t

the Circle?" she asked, v

radley of the Ironclaw

de him. "Beth Cha

at name has not been spoken in

aze evenly. "I

was si

e Elders parted and gest

e a stone table stood-its surface carved with

ome," the woman said,

amily to the rogue's warning, the resurgence of her wolf, the t

her lips curling with di

of him?" A

t glowed faintly in the dark. "Malrik was once one of us. Flamebound. But he tu

He's still alive. I've see

r studied her closely.

her head.

the original flame that birthed our kind. It was entruste

Beth asked

forever. It calls to those strong enough to be

forward and pressed her hand t

u are Flamebound not ju

ed, recognition b

in asked. "What do

ing him to the oath he betrayed. If he succeeds, the balance b

as steady. "Th

"We will help. But the path ahead is no

ow

t, pointing at a narrow trail t

Each will test your strength, your spirit, an

forward. "I'l

firmly. "She must w

art dropp

is your trial. He may wait at

her, jaw tight.

the lump in her throa

ng her cheek. "Then co

" she wh

the path, her pulse

lowed her alm

. Austin stood at the edge of

Beth pres

ted, shifted. T

earing, and the

polished like glass. Her reflection

is Beth wore blood on her hands. Her eyes were gold

could become," th

d. "I fear lo

er? Or

idn't

hild, curled in the corner of her home as her parents died. Then a

urred he

g," she whispered.

ror sha

one: p

move

nd trial

, heat searing her skin. Her wolf

th did

knees, closed her

ire, a heart

lameh

not with her hands,

didn't

lcome

gone. A faint glow lit her chest where a s

as ch

omi

trial r

igure standing in a glade-a man

he said with a cru

h f

lri

not as a spirit or

I expected," he said

ed. Her wolf surged

You'll need that rag

atta

wer, memory against pain. Beth fought not just wit

er with illusions, twisted

th sto

what already burne

r, she unleashed t

expl

e to, the gl

hest now glowed like

d pa

awak

lrik k

forest hours later,

was w

her, his b

ger. Brighter. Like the

and pulled her

ome back," he s

to him. "I had someth

oached, each bo

e silver-haired woman said

to the moon. Let them

and the heavy watch of the forest spirits. The stars above shimmered brighter here,

der-the only physical wound left from her trials. But deeper than that, something inside her had shifted. Awa

owls of broth in his hands. He handed her

hell out of me,"

aintly. "I sc

ou might not

ost di

earthy and bitter, but she

fter a pause. "He was rea

hardened. "Wha

eady. He didn't try to kill me... not really

he fire. "What does

Waiting for the right time to strike. But he's s

eside her. "You'

. "Do you mean th

all smile. "

tween them filled with unspoken memories. Their journey h

d once more. The silver-haired woman

moonrise," she said. "The Circle

d. "What h

. Malrik will strike soon. He will send shadows a

clenched. "We

mber pulsed. "You carry the last spark of our sacred fire. Do not waste it in s

th of those words

u," she w

ped beyond the Elder Circle's borders, a gentle wind stirred the leaves and a

elow them. Smoke curled from the central hearth. Wolves patrolled the borders.

ming, gathering. The momen

d the pack house, a you

back! We've been-" Her eyes widened w

aised

led. "It's a

ncil. Tonight. And double the sentries.

, Al

ckering torches. The elders and warriors of the

t the center,

't wast

. "Malrik walks again. The ro

ppled throu

und. My bloodline did not end. I ca

le

wiry old wolf with sca

rt? That's a

h a deep breath, she opened

t, not blinding but pure. The runes arou

led back, awe

. "She is the key. And she needs our pr

k will send his forces soon. I say we

. The

ang out. "And w

his face pale. "What if he takes you, Beth?

ch. "Then we're

his throat. "That's

n bowed his head. "Th

th stood on the balcony of the Alpha'

d her, wrapping his

them well,"

she whispered. "I just want to

wi

him. "You reall

Because you're n

, and for a moment,

in the ruined chapel of a dead kingdo

s," he said

ed beside him. "Shal

yet. Let her believe she's safe.

eyes glow

'll snuf