Brandle grabbed Katelina before she could move more than an inch. Her rebuke died when Zander drew the blade across his own hand. He turned back to the altar and squeezed a few drops of blood into the bowl, then knelt again.

"May the Goddess of Night accept this sacrifice in the spirit it is given. May it recompense some small portion of a debt that cannot be paid. Now we leave you in peace and gratitude. Batna, you are our queen."

Zander used the bloody bowl to douse ...