There was no longer any sense of air in the Cave of Sacrifice.

It had the consistency of dense smoke. My lungs burned every time I breathed.

I had stopped running. They were dragging me.

It hurt, more like a thorn piercing my body.

The Alpha Assassin had guided me through the cave's hidden rear entrance, but we weren't quick enough to elude the main guards.

I was in the middle of the sacrifice stone now.

"Bring her forward," a voice said as I stood, my legs unsteady and my hands still ...