The forest stood silent and cold, thick with mist as Crystal faced Ryder. His golden eyes gleamed in the darkness, intense and unreadable.
"You shouldn't be here" he murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine. "It's not safe. The darkness moves tonight"
Crystal swallowed hard, glancing toward the shadows where that strange figure had stood...the one that whispered secrets about ruin and flame.
"I felt it... something was here. Watching me" she said softly, the faint silver glow flickering at her fingertips again.
Ryder stepped closer, but stopped short of touching her.
His scent...warm, commanding, familiar, wrapped around her like a storm held just barely in check.
"I sensed it too. Old magic. Dangerous. It doesn't belong here... and it wanted you" His jaw tightened, h
