Echoes of a Hated Moon
"And what I owe you."
He opened his mouth as if to say something, then closed it. The internal struggle was almost written on his face.
"Prepare the ritual, Shaman," I said, not giving Scott a chance to object.
The Old Shaman sighed and rose to prepare. "Alpha, the ritual will be very painful. Are you sure you want to be present?"
Scott didn't answer, but his eyes told me—he wouldn't leave.
An hour later, the ritual site was ready. The Shaman had drawn complex runes on the ground, surrounded by seven lit black candles. Joanna was brought in, her condition shocking—her skin was as pale as paper, her eyes completely black, with black bloodstains around her lips.