She closed her eyes.
She inhaled.
When she opened them again, Morwen stood across from her at the edge of the circle. The old witch’s gaze never wavered.
“Are you prepared, my queen?”
“Yes.”
“It will hurt.”
“I know.”
“It will hurt beyond anything you’ve known. The piece of the seal entering you was originally intended for four witches. You’re taking only one quarter. Even so, one quarter of the seal that binds the thing beneath the world is more than any body was made to contain. Your blood will feel like fire. Your bones will ache. You’ll see things that don’t exist in this room. You’ll want to scream. If you do, that’s fine. Most of us do the first time. There’s no shame in it.”
Aria nodded again.
“Do it.”
Morwen slipped a hand into her robe.
She withdrew a small object Aria h
