The crack in the Council Chamber floor continued to widen.
Slowly.
Relentlessly.
Silver light leaked upward from the darkness below, casting strange shadows across the ancient walls.
Nobody spoke for several moments.
The sight alone was enough.
The cold air rising from beneath the chamber felt unnatural.
Ancient.
Heavy.
Alive.
Victoria stood frozen, staring at the glowing fissure.
The wolf inside her had gone completely silent.
Not relaxed.
Focused.
Listening.
As if something deep below Bloodright Academy was calling to it.
Calling to her.
The realization made her stomach tighten.
The first Blood Wolf's voice echoed faintly through her mind.
Find the crown.
The words felt less like a message now.
More like a command.
The chamber trembled again.
Dust rained from the c
