The shaman's smile was worse than any scream.
Calm. Patient. Like she'd been waiting centuries for this moment.
"You can't move," she said. Conversational. "The runes are bound to blood magic older than any of your packs. Older than most civilizations."
I strained against the invisible bonds. Felt them tighten like chains.
Kade was beside me, fighting just as hard. "Let them go. This is between us."
"Between us?" The shaman laughed. "Oh, alpha. You still don't understand. There is no 'us.' There's only what I need. And what I'm willing to destroy to get it."
She moved closer to Ember.
My daughter. Still on the altar. Still crying.
"Don't touch her," I snarled.
"Or what? You'll stop me with your untrained magic? Please." The shaman raised the ritual blade. "I've been cultivating th
