The cave loomed ahead like the gaping mouth of a monster.
Evelyn crouched behind the thick brush, her breathing even, controlled. But inside, her wolf Aria snarled, agitated. The pull of dark magic vibrated in the air, unnatural and cold.
Beside her, Damien was utterly still, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the entrance. Around them, the dawn painted the horizon in shades of bruised purple and gray—an eerie prelude to the battle brewing just beyond the ridge.
“They’re inside,” Evelyn murmured.
Damien nodded. “I count three witches at the entrance. And more inside, judging from the energy I feel.”
Evelyn glanced back at the frightened boy they had rescued the night before. He stood a few paces behind, wrapped in a cloak too big for his small frame, trembling but alert.
“They’ll kill m
