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I wasn’t sure if it was the horse she was so inexplicably afraid of, or the cliffs to the sea she had never seen before. Or perhaps it was the Oracle itself, which would reveal whatever truths she was hiding. Was she afraid of what we would uncover?

It was hard to tell.

Tavik’s consciousness was shifting restlessly within me. “She’s so afraid, Alaric. I can feel it.”

I scowled, hating how in tune Tavik was to her distress. “Just ignore it. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

He grumbled something incoherent, clearly displeased with this response. But I had more important things to focus on.

I glanced up at the carvings etched into the marble of the Oracle. They depicted our goddess, Lunaria, pleading with Umbra and Somnus, the gods of night, to allow her to remain on the Isle with her people.

The gods had refused, trapping her inside the moon. But her power was strong enough to keep the moon’s light for longer than in the fae realm. Long enough to fuel our magic and abilities.

My fingers curled into fists at my sides as I entered the Oracle. I had only been here twice before, and both instances had rattled me. I didn’t particularly enjoy being here.

“I don’t like it, either,” Tavik muttered. I could sense him burrowing deeper into the recesses of my mind, as if to block out the experience completely.

Perhaps that would help quiet his connection to Cerise.

The darkness swallowed us as we stepped through the darkened doorway. Cerise’s breath hitched as her inferior eyesight was no doubt clouded by darkness. With my heightened senses, I could make out the faint outline of pillars and walls surrounding us. The interior of the Oracle was fairly similar to its exterior, with pillars and other engravings depicting the stories of the gods.

Reid pulled on a lever to my left, and a loud cranking sound echoed around us. A panel in the dome-shaped ceiling slid open, revealing a pane of glass through which the brilliant moon shone. The pearly light illuminated the room, bringing sharpness and detail to the space around us. Statues of each of the Mage’s animal counterparts surrounded us: a raven, a fox, a dragon, and a wolf. They were built to lifelike size, looming along the walls like sentries. I noticed Cerise’s wide eyes were fixed on the massive dragon statue, as if afraid it would come to life and devour her.

“Come,” Reid said, striding toward the rectangular altar in the center of the room. It stood directly underneath the glass window and was completely bathed in the moon’s light.

The altar of Lunaria.

Reid circled the altar so he faced me, his expression stoic. “Do you have the blood?”

“Blood?” Cerise repeated, her face draining of color.

I ignored her and nodded, reaching into my pocket to withdraw a vial. To use the Oracle’s magic required blood from each of the chiefs as well as the participants of the spell. I had already added my own and Reid’s blood to the vial. I lifted it, swirling the dark crimson contents.

Cerise’s face took on a greenish tint as she stared at the blood. “Blood magic?” she whispered. Something in her voice told me she knew exactly how powerful and dangerous blood magic could be.

I fixed a stern look on her. “Blood is the most powerful ingredient. It is required for us to perform the spell.”

She took a small step away from me, her eyes darting to the doorway. She looked like a startled creature who was about to bolt.

I drew closer to her, and she stiffened, glancing between me and Reid. Yes, she was definitely considering running. I could still smell the sharp, acidic scent of her fear.

After a moment, she seemed to acknowledge her slim chance of escaping. She lifted her chin, though terror still shone in her eyes. “Very well. Just do it.”

I unsheathed the dagger at my belt and closed the distance between us. Cerise was trembling, but she held my gaze. I used the blade to unstopper the vial, then pricked her finger. She winced as I let two droplets fall into the vial, mingling with the others. The thick liquid hissed slightly, and a faint coil of smoke emitted from the contents.

I swirled the blood, then tipped it over the altar. The thick, scarlet solution oozed out before splattering along the white marble. The ground began to tremble, the walls shaking as flecks of dirt trickled from the ceiling. A powerful thrumming sound filled the air, making my bones vibrate. My skin pebbled, and Tavik dug himself deep within the recesses of my mind.

The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stood on end. I resisted the urge to fidget or shift my weight, knowing it was supposed to feel this way.

The Moon Goddess’s spirit was here.

Beside me, Cerise’s breathing was sharp and ragged. I didn’t know what this felt like for her, but if it was unsettling for me, it had to be unbearable for her. She did not even worship this goddess.

Would Lunaria allow her presence at all? Or would she strike the witch down, right here and now?

Whispers filled the chamber, encircling me like a gentle breeze. I closed my eyes, letting my goddess’s voice fill my mind.

“I am Lunaria, Goddess of the Moon,” breathed the voice, both soft and commanding all at once. “I will speak only the truth if you but ask.”