Chapter 15 Fire That Listens

The mystic's den was deep beneath the mountain, carved from black stone and thick with the scent of herbs, smoke, and magic.

Ember stood barefoot in the center of the circle. Runes etched in ash glowed faintly beneath her feet. Her skin was slick with sweat, her breath steady-but her nerves ran high.

Kael waited just beyond the edge of the circle