I gripped Kael's hand. "Be careful—"
He nodded curtly, his eyes full of care. "She'll hold until we're clear."
I swallowed at the cross of responsibilities: there was still a summit to close, and Mara had never feared for her safety. But something in my belly twisted — this would not end well.
Many hours later we had the summit as well-protected as possible. The Dorian had written new seals of moon spirit at each tear, and Kael himself supervised the construction of iron chains laced with gem-infused patterns from spire to spire. The Wolf King had fed for now but we knew its strength would return before the sun went down.
I walked to the edge of the crater and peered down into its swirling blackness. The makeshift ward had been keeping back a shadow, but it couldn't last. I closed my eyes and prayed to Caldera and the line of Moonclaws which went before them for guidance. When I looked, the crater was at peace — as silent as a tomb.
It was too quiet.
