The air inside the temple was cold and thick, like it hadn’t been touched in a thousand years. Our footsteps echoed on the stone floor, and every sound seemed too loud. The light from our torches danced on the walls, showing carvings of wolves, moons, and strange symbols that looked too much like the one burned into my chest.
I could feel my mark pulsing. Slow at first, then faster the deeper we went. It was like it knew something was waiting.
Asher walked close beside me, his hand brushing mine. His warmth helped, but it didn’t stop the chill crawling up my spine. Gage followed behind us, tense and silent. Arlo kept his head down, holding the Codex tight against his chest, whispering to himself as he studied the ancient writing on the walls.
“We’re close.” Arlo said softly. “The guardi
