Cool stone touched my cheek. The air smelled of night-blooming jasmine.
I opened my eyes on the top step of a broad white staircase. Glowing mist covered the path below. The temple of the Holy Moon Sanctuary rose behind me.
The wound left by the bond still hurt. Caleb's commands were gone.
The mist hid the world below the stairs. Temple walls caught the moonlight and shone the same pale color as the steps.
I remembered that view from childhood. I had never expected to return with blood drying on my neck.
A man stood over me. I flinched. He stopped and held out his hand, leaving a gap between us.
Silver constellations covered his indigo robes. Old power pressed at the air around him, stronger than any Alpha command I had felt. Still, he waited.
When my fingers moved, he turned his pa
