The warning was waiting at the eastern boundary marker when Toby found it during morning patrol, and by the time Callum arrived the whole northern rotation had gathered around it in a loose, tense circle, no one quite willing to be the first to touch it.
It was simple, in the way that the worst threats often were. A single gray stone, the particular ashen color that gave the Circle its name, placed deliberately atop the boundary marker where it couldn't be missed by anyone doing a routine perimeter check. Wrapped around it, tied with cord, was a scrap of fabric that Callum recognized immediately, the pale gray of pack ceremonial dress, the kind worn specifically at moon rites.
"They cut this from someone's rite clothing," Marcus said quietly, crouching to examine it without touching. "Re
