Dawn broke gray and cold over the quarry, mist clinging low to stone walls carved decades ago by machinery long since abandoned to rust, and I stood at the center of Mabel's binding circle with a calm that surprised even me, given everything hanging on the next few hours.
You remember everything, Ronan asked one final time, hidden with the others just beyond the tree line, his voice carrying softly through the small earpiece Cole had rigged for exactly this purpose.
I remember, I said quietly. Stay calm, let him believe I'm offering freely, wait for the signal before triggering the circle.
Exactly, Mabel's voice confirmed through the same connection. And Wren, whatever he says to provoke you, however he tries to unsettle you, remember that patience is the only thing that will make this
