Salt and Silver
Diana’s POV
The floor of the east courtyard had been cleared by sunrise.
Gina stood barefoot in the center, her sleeves rolled up, a silver basin in her hands. She looked less like a warrior today and more like a high priestess, focused and still dangerous in her quiet.
“This place used to be a temple,” she said, voice flat with memory. “Before the city swallowed it. Before blood covered the stones.”
I watched from the steps, one hand resting on my stomach, the other clutching the salt pouch she’d handed me.
“Do you really think this ritual can hold?” I asked.
“If it doesn’t,” she said, setting the basin down, “then nothing will.”
She motioned for me to join her.
I stepped onto the stone. The chill of it seeped through my soles.
Cameron stood close and silent as h
