, their snarls echoed through the forest. I barely had time to react b

to me!" Ro

silver dagger Rowan had given me with the other hand. The blade felt forei

natural grace, their forms rippling with dark energy that seemed to twist the very air arou

. The wolf howled in pain, its body collapsing before vanishing into

narled; its massive form crouched low as it prepared to pounce. I tightene

nd slashed upward as the blade cut through the wolf's side. The wolf cr

me a quick glance as he

ht in me than you

ned as the air around them grew colder. The wolves had stopped th

d, joining into a massive figure at the e

ed under the faint moonlight, and his piercing eyes burned with an unna

ced with disdain. "Still

ped in front of me. "

to a sinister smile. "And you must be the one they've

me as the Warden spoke. "Who are you?" I demanded wi

o keeps the balance," he said. "And you, my

with his blade raised.

pled through the clearing, sending me to her knees. The locket burned ho

rowed. "That locket d

I held the locket so tight. I finally met his ga

w what you're holding, do you? That locket is a key to power, to tru

an you think

ir blades clashed and the sound echoed through the clearing. The wolves howled as Rowan

glow pulsed faster, almost as though it was alive. I could feel its energy

n with hair like mine, standing beneath a blood-red moon. Her eyes were fi

spered as my

it left a burning certainty behind. My mother was

ed. "I know what

on was mixed with confusio

ocket and stepped towards the Warden,

holding the locket high

rds me, but I wasn't done. I whispered a word I knew no

words, the force of it knocked everyone to the ground. The wolv

n the clearing. The Warden and his

he darkness, and my voice trembl

le

rowl that seemed to c

f glowing eyes appeared in the trees. This tim

" I whi

aw. Rowan stood there, but his form was different; half-ma

aid with a dis

I asked, as the locke