Ember Frost’s POV

Each member of the group had been taken aside by that strange old lady, one after another. None of them came back looking hurt or broken. There was no questioning, no rough treatment.

Some of the strongest ones returned with seals placed on them. Others were taken in, then somehow released without anything happening at all. It didn’t make sense.

The strange part was, no one looked relieved. Just confused. And a little uneasy.

Elder Anna was the only one people kept ...