[Gale's POV]
I stopped walking, my boots scuffing against the cobblestones as I stared at the sealed elemental mana stone resting in my palm.
Here we go, I thought, gathering a focused thread of my mana into my palm, preparing to brush it against the stone's seals and unravel them. But just as the energy began to coalesce, a cold, sharp warning shot through my mind. If I unsealed it here, the sudden, violent release of raw elemental mana would be like lighting a beacon in the dark. It would attract every werewolf with a hint of magical sensitivity and every witch within a half-mile radius. We were surrounded by potential enemies.
This is frustrating! I clenched my fist around the stone, the temptation warring with prudence.
Suddenly, the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood up. My instincts, honed by a century of survival, screamed that someone was following me. Their focus was a cold spot on my back.
