Aria drifted in cold darkness. The lake surrounded her like a womb of shadows, tugging her deeper. Her limbs moved sluggishly, her spirit wolf thrashing inside her, roaring against the pull. But she couldn’t break free.

She wasn’t just drowning in water. She was drowning in doubt, in fear, in failure.

Then—a pulse.

Not from the lake.

From within.

A sudden surge of silver fire burst from her chest, and her eyes snapped open. Her wolf howled in fury. With a shout that echoed like thunder ...