Ramsey quickly turned us left through the door that led up the steps to the stage area in the Gathering Room. I shivered. The temperature felt like we might as well have been outside.

I slid off the edge of the stage like I was made from a block of ice while Ramsey flowed off of it like water and landed in a crouch, his movements naturally silent and graceful.

Ahead, the sound of the Gathering Room's heavy doors opening froze me in place. Two lanterns swung on the ...