Chapter 34:
THE RITUAL OF THE HEART
The nights leading up to the whole moon were restless. Despite the arrangements, the cleaning ritual weighed heavily on my thoughts. The warnings about its risks echoed in each quiet moment, but I couldn’t let worry deter me. If the Shadowborn corrupted the Heart of the Moon, the percent might be defenseless.
Ethan attempted to hold me grounded, although I should see the concern in his eyes. He became always near, whether it became at some point of approach meetings, training classes, or quiet moments whilst the anxiety of the coming ritual felt like too much.
“I understand you’re scared,” he said one night as we stood beneath the celebs. “But you’re no longer going through this alone, Taya. I’m here, and so is the pack. You're stronger than you bel
