Arlene stood in her chambers, watching the mirror that tracked Cassian's location.She'd known he'd betrayed her the moment he broke Damoew's stasis spell. The tracking magic had alerted her instantly.But instead of anger, she felt satisfaction."Predictable," she murmured.They thought they were being clever. Sneaking back to the packhouse. Finding Hardy's body. Discovering the ritual circles.Let them find it all.She'd planned for this. Prepared for resistance. In fact, she was counting on it.The mirror showed Cassian standing near the memorial platform. Beside him, an old woman drew symbols in silver ash.Meredith Ashborn. The ancient witch who'd survived her mother's purge."A counter-ritual," Arlene said aloud. "How creative."She pulled out her mother's journal. Flipped to a marked page. Read the passage she'd memorized years ago.*"If the enemy prepares a counter-ritual, let them. It will consume their focus, their resources, their time. While they work to stop one plan, you
Last Updated : 2026-04-13 Read more