ne's

ve bones towered over the earth, their surfaces cloaked in moss and etched with symbols that danced and contorted in the moonlight. The air here was di

ite as if lit from within, and I saw that she did not leave impressions upon the forest floor. There

r deeper into the holy grounds. "

thout facing me. "The moon goddess shows truth to those who work for her i

the canopy. The moonlight fell directly down upon the white stone, lighting it to shine like silver

me, gesturing to th

ed. An hour before this, I was waiting to die, and now I was in a position of power w

given them three days to find the

ho killed Prince Marcus. The question is not whether I can prove it; the question is

ou know? Tell me th

e person who has done this has done their job well. He's made your own pack believe you are in the

n wh

something that made me shudder. "The sort of power that cut

. "Tell me, child, what do you know of the old ways? The magic that flo

ses who could see the future, wolves that ruled the wea

es, and it began to glow with soft silver light. "You

ust something I've al

ower to access, but it's still there, waiting." More runes illuminated as Thalia circled the altar. "I can teach you how

re talking of making me

il body has done what it could, and the curse that binds me fast strengthens its grip each

ned forward. "Wh

another time." Thalia moved to stand before me. "What matters now is this: I can transfer my pow

. Power. The key through which I might clear my name and expose the

to me? If I were to

ly. You would develop a sense of when someone lies, the power to force a person to tell the truth, the ability to penetrate the masks that wicked individual

What happe

ritual will take what's left of my life force and transfer it i

't ask you to do that. I won't le

tar. "Think you it's just a coincidence I arrived at your execution tonight? I've

ing me

"I saw you standing in that courtyard, accused and condemned. I saw your husband's betrayal and your pack's contempt.

Did you count on Marcu

en you'd least expect it." Thalia's voice grew bitter. "I attempted to warn the prince, b

s was investigating something, wa

Kane is not working alone, child. He has supporters, in your pack and out of i

How many individu

you accept the power to share the truth? Will you let me transfer m

ck slept peacefully, none knowing the enemy stalked them. Corwin tossed and turned, his own conscience nipping at him

f I take your power, can I ever go ba

usted all people and believed in all hearts – she needs to be killed tonight so the new wo

, everything I'd done, everything I'd ever loved – a

y name, I'd be dead anyway. At least then, I'd be able to defend myself. I'd

ous. There's a chance it'll kill us both. The magic is ancient an

f I re

. Your pack falls into whatever master he serves,

nd still on the altar. He'd sacrificed hims

time do

re sunrise, when the moon is still

of justice. Two hours to pick between probable death and poten

n who was willing to give her own

o I hav

he chanting, the transfer of power." She made her way to a stone chest at the base of

ha

transformation will hurt. Not just your body, but your soul. You will be sure that you are dying an

alance. "Will it be worse than watching my husband h

ed. "Nothing is

begin,

, herbs, vials of what seemed like liquid moonlight. "Remove your garments

t my bared flesh, but the altar rock felt strangely warm under me when I lay ba

ked, the silver knife glin

gain these powers – how do I get back in time to expose Kane?

ild. When the ritual is complete, you won't be Selene any longer. You'll be someone new, someone Kane has ne

d its blade went alight with a fire t

k on a ritual tone that seemed to sound f