The coordinates Lydia had sent led to an ancient stone circle deep in the forest, the kind of place that felt wrong the moment I approached it. Old magic saturated the air here, making my skin prickle with warning. This was a place where reality was thin, where the barrier between worlds was fragile.
Perfect for dark magic.
Perfect for stealing abilities.
I arrived exactly at noon as Lydia had specified, wearing simple clothing that would not restrict movement and carrying nothing but the protective charm Serena had given me. Behind me, hidden in the forest at least a mile away, the entire coalition waited. They could not come closer without risking the hostages, but they were there, ready to charge in if needed.
It was a small comfort.
Lydia was already there, standing in the center
