The air hummed with tension, but the circle had quieted. Wolves hovered on the periphery, wary, their instincts screaming that something had changed. In me as well as in the law.
Thorn's golden eyes never left mine as he gradually extinguished his flames. His voice was thick and unsteady as he said, "You... you did it." "You—" He paused and shook his head, as though the words were couldn’t capture it.
I released my breath, allowing the darkness to re-curl around me. Although they persisted, they no longer felt like weapons but rather like allies. I looked him in the eye and whispered, "I didn't do it alone." "I was chosen by the Cradle."
Mira stepped forward, wary but beaming with relief. She remarked, "Everyone is watching you." Her voice was a mixture of admiration, fear, and wonder
