The ritual took place in the farmhouse basement, where the Ember had first awakened sixty years ago.
Elara stood in the center of a circle carved with silver symbols—the void's symbols, not the old hunger's. Kaela knelt before her, her grey eyes steady, her hands open.
"Are you ready?" Elara asked.
"I've been ready my whole life."
"The void is heavy. It will change you."
"I know."
"It will hurt."
"I know that too."
Elara placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders.
"Then let go."
---
The void left Elara like a warm breath leaving a room.
She felt it flow out of her chest, down her arms, into Kaela's waiting hands. Her daughter gasped. Silver light flickered behind her grey eyes—not cold, not hungry. Warm.
Hello, the void said. I have waited for you.
"I know," Kaela whispered
