I was gasping, each breath sharp and wet with the smell of earth and something electric in the air. The clearing under the blood moon seemed to shiver, like the forest itself had ears and eyes and a heartbeat. Silas’s hand dug into my back, steadying me, keeping me tethered. Without it, I’d probably have collapsed into panic. But even with him, every shadow at the treeline twisted and stretched like it could smell the fire inside me.

“They’re circling,” he said, voice tight. ...