The smell of fried food and hay filled the fairgrounds.
Aaron’s attention drifted to a fire-breather performing near a ring toss booth, but Era tugged his sleeve. “Stay focused,” she said sharply, her voice clear over the noise as she slowly turned the glowing star stone in her hand.
“I was focused,” he mumbled, but Era didn’t answer. She went still, her eyes sharpening.
“What is it?” Aaron asked, tensing up.
“The ring,” she whispered. “It’s close.”
She moved ahead, slipping through the crowd with quiet ease. Aaron hurried after her.
After a few minutes of weaving through people and colorful stands, they stopped where a large crowd had gathered. The star stone glowed brighter. Era motioned for Aaron to come closer.
“This is it,” she said under her breath. “The pulses are strongest h
