Pain woke me.
Not the kind that came from a wound.
This pain was deeper.
It felt as if something had reached inside my veins and was pulling them apart.
I opened my eyes.
Chains.
Black chains wrapped around my wrists and ankles.
I tried to move.
A sharp burning shot through my body.
I gasped.
The last thing I remembered was Kael running toward me.
Then the ritual circle had swallowed everything.
Now I was lying on a stone altar beneath the ruined Moon temple.
Above me, ancient symbols glowed red.
The Veiled Court surrounded the chamber.
Their faces were hidden beneath dark hoods.
My heart began pounding.
"Kael?"
No answer.
I pulled against the chains.
"Kael!"
A woman stepped out of the shadows.
The same mysterious woman.
She looked almost peaceful.
"He's alive."
I
