Darkness Ezra knew, but not this. Not no-light—it was presence. Presence of another. Something vast and hollow and observing.

The bone circle had failed. Melucia's prowess prevailed. She sent a blast of energy. Quinn and Halvar disappeared into thin air.

As soon as Quinn and Halvar were gone, the forest drew away as if it had simply withdrawn a hand from the Sanctuary's stones centuries old, the amulet's bone-structure clenched in shaking fists—the world broke apart like a burning wick. ...