was silent.

as gone. Vanished into the shadows, into some cruel magic trap, a

n the air, in the trees, in the earth itself. It was weak

iv

ight and shadow. Each tree was a blur. Each branch a threat-or a path. His claws tor

. Somewhere ah

through clenched teeth. "I

he ground was scorched, twisted runes etched int

ordinary witch. She could erase the traces of her magi

se of Aria's life throbbed faintly-off to

r

His wolf guided him, pulling him along the path that

he sa

soft and silver, like moonligh

" he s

, then surged weakly, as if

orest floor. Then the glow coalesced into a fi

r

irt and sweat plastered against her pale skin. She shook vio

he whi

er eyes were wide, uncomprehending,

ammered. "It's... it's leaving me

ing in his chest. "I will not

screaming at him that danger was near. The

e unde

e is feeding on it. Someo

st-if he touched her-s

m the curse's twi

n't panic. Stay calm. I'm

.. everything leaving me. My memor

to touch her. His heart ached, seeing

s hard. But you're stronger than you think. You've s

ound made the

Shadows moved in u

tch appeared-Th

gy pulsing through it. Her eyes were fixe

ha," she hissed. "But even you canno

g beneath his skin. "Release her," he

n't think you understand. She is mine. Her borrowed life... her stolen

gainst a mossy boulder for supp

on Well-a source of power so ancient it could rewrite reality itself. And now it

asked, her voice brea

e full answer yet. But one truth was undeniable: she was

e was

chest. He could feel the pulse of her borrowed l

t

like

Don't think about the magic. Don't

trembling. "I... I

s on me. You are alive because of me, because fate wants yo

ears streaking her p

violent scream ripp

forest seemed to vibrate. Shadows shifted.

ng. Something fast

Aria flared violently, burni

t of her, crouched, claws extende

eyes glowed with a dangerous, cruel light. His wolf was ne

would be that easy, d

o the earth. "Back of

the key. The Moon Well will awaken. And y

r glow pulsed violently, almost as if respondi

ed life was collapsing, fading

.. hold on..."

, untamed, ripping at the edges o

slicing the air, his roar

tant he rea

of silver magic

ing, vision blurring. Pain flared across his

d again. Weak. Fa

mself forward, claws scraping against di

"The prophecy cannot be stopped. She belongs to f

d. "No. Not fate.

ve fo

d shattered