The moon bled deeper.

The crimson halo thickened, swallowing the moon’s pale surface inch by inch. The sky darkened. The stars dimmed.

The Bloodmoon was coming.

And with it

The breaking of the bond.

The forest thinned as they moved.

The trees, twisted and weary, leaned away from the path. The ground beneath them shuddered with each step.

The bond was fraying faster now.

Lyla could feel it.

Like a rope pulled too tight. Strands snapping one by one.

The talisman in ...