forest surrounding the Crimson Circle's sanctuary seemed to recoil from the energy pulsi

d with cursed runes, flickering with a sickly red glow. Hooded figures stood in silence along

reverence and death. Her robe shimmered with spells Aria didn't recognize-old mag

" Aria demanded, voi

't look back.

kill

, and reached out to touch her daughter's cheek

face away. "I'

sandra said softly.

ing. At its center stood a stone altar carved with claw marks. Atop it-

eath caug

our blood. The curse must be broken with blood willi

re in

nlight

ures began chanting. Low. Rhythmic. Siniste

th

attered t

rned amber, his claws elongated. The wounds on his back were still open, but rag

Cassandra, "and I'll tear

riests tried

't stand

couldn't cut him. Their spells bounced off his fury. Aria broke free of her capto

for th

block her, but Aria dove through it, ignoring th

ped awake

getti

ground t

it beneath

rned, made of bone and shadows, sum

Cassandra screame

red and surge

print, dragging both h

t thing!" Aria sho

Luca said. "We jus

to the runes-ancien

d it within

itself," L

nodde

ran straight to

ncantation, her blood trailing in a spiral

ts spine, distracting it as Aria sliced at its

t howled

the run

ht wrapped ar

o her knees, pa

bed their blades i

lack smoke, sucked into t

nce

e se

Her power unraveled. The Circle d

ed up to

to summon magic-

derestimated m

ised

But you forgot-I for

drove her dagger int

, choked, and fel

m outsid

cle...

the compo

away through the smoking ruin

for support, her voic

cking the trees. "We survived. Th

"It's not over. There are sti

t run anymor

r of light, she saw him. The beast. The man. The on

. "We'll burn them

. "Is that

ps brushing his e

hard-bloody, b

he ashes, somethin