The altar was closer now.
I could feel it in my bones. A pull. Not like the wolf. Something older. Darker. The blade in my pack seemed to hum with it.
We'd been walking for three days. The mountains had given way to a narrow canyon. Red rock walls towered on both sides. The trail was thin. One wrong step and you'd fall into the ravine below.
Cade was beside me. His hand was in mine. He hadn't let go since the valley.
Nellie walked ahead with Damon. She was quiet. Too quiet. The grief was still there. Hollowing her out.
Damon's dog stayed close to Nellie. Her tail was down. Her ears were flat. Even she could feel it. Something was wrong.
"Lena." Cade's voice was low. "Look."
He pointed ahead.
The canyon opened into a wide clearing. Red stone walls formed a natural amphitheater. In t
