26
LAVINIA
Once we were back and safe at DuMoir Castle, Almae, Keeran, and I went to the back garden where we recreated the large white circle with the fifteen points. Killian, Luana, Drake, and Thea followed us, but kept their distance.
The three of us placed the seven boxes in their spots on the circle and stepped out. Almae picked up a dagger from her skirt and pressed the tip of her finger to the blade. A drop of blood bloomed against her skin. She handed the dagger to Keeran and he did the same. He passed the dagger to me. I sucked in a sharp breath before pushing the blade into my skin. It was only a quick prick, but I hissed anyway.
I returned the dagger to Almae and she pocketed it again. She extended her arm in front of her and let the blood drip into the circle. Keeran and I
