It ran down Althea’s spine like ice, but it wasn’t cold… it burned. A strange, searing fire that

started deep inside her and spread like a wave. Her breath caught in her throat. She clutched at her chest, swaying slightly as her knees nearly buckled beneath her.

Her eyes widened in panic.

The trees around her looked the same. The warriors stood where they had been. Gavriel hadn’t moved from his conversation in the distance. But everything felt… off. The air was too heavy. Her skin ...