The forest outside the Gilded Hollow was alive with chaos.
Sophia ran, the Moonstone clutched in one hand, its silver light barely wrapped in a glamour rune she’d drawn hastily mid-flight. She crossed the cave sideways, her boots touched only a bit of the earth, because many branches swirled about her. The excitement mixed with the pounding of her heart.
Behind her, the Hollow burned. Magical wards exploded in blinding bursts, and the distant howl of Ethan’s wolf form echoed through the trees.
She didn’t look back.
She never did.
But she knew he would follow.
---
Ethan burst from the treeline moments later, shifting mid-stride into his human form. Shirt torn, arms bloodied, his silver talon pendant still glowing faintly with residual energy. He paused only long enough to pick up her
