The fading moon fractured — not shattering, but dissolving into luminous dust that drifted across the sky like dying embers.
The vision trembled, threatening to branch into catastrophe.
And something inside me knew what to do.
“Hold.”
My voice did not shake.
The vision froze.
The final remnants of the fading moon suspended mid-fall.
“Hold still,” I commanded and the vision held. It froze, as the last remnants of fading moon began to drift away.
“Blessed Mother,” Magdalena muttered under her breath.
With the gentle stroke of my hand I waved it over the image and the vision folded inward, collapsing back into a single, radiant strand.
The thread descended slowly, returning to my outstretched hand, obedient now.
Then silence flooded the cavern.
Magdalena stared at me, her composure fractured in a way I had never seen before.
Arielle held her breath.
“That,” Magdalena said at last, voice reverent, “was history before history.”
When Arielle’s eyes met mine, we did not speak.
We didn’t need to.
We shared a look of silent understanding.
One that said, I was ready.
And we would not have to wait until Monday to do the spell.
Chapter 48
Wolfe
“When Hope Sparked “
We gathered in the Hollow Room, preparing to cast the spell. Hope was alive in our hearts that we may be able to find the ring.
We were all here. Arielle, Garrick, Bastian, Alaric, Elariya, and me.
I’d never seen Elariya look so determined.
She knelt across from me, setting out the items I’d given her for the spell.
My mate had returned from a full day spent with Magdalena, with fire in her soul, demanding a meeting at once with all of us. She felt she was ready to do the spell.
And so did Arielle. They’d quickly relayed what had happened today at the cave and Magdalena’s explanation of Elariya’s powers.
The ability was strong with her—as would all mage abilities become given time.
