Drayk’s POV
Dawn comes grey.
I wake to cold and the smell of something wrong.
Metal. Old blood. Magic.
Draygon is already up. `They’re here.`
I sit up too fast. “what—”
The camp is empty.
No Dionne.
No fire.
Just ash and that smell.
I’m on my feet before I can think. Knife in hand.
“Dionne!”
No answer.
`She’s close,` Draygon says. `And she’s not alone.`
The trees are too quiet. No birds.
Like the forest is holding its breath.
I move. Fast.
Ten steps and I see her.
She’s in the clearing.
Standing still.
Arms at her sides.
And around her, hidden but not hidden enough, three women.
Hooded. Hands glowing faint blue.
Witches.
`There it is,` Draygon says. `That’s who she’s been talking to.`
One of them steps forward. Voice like ice.
“You have until the moon
