As Metella burst out of the portal into RuthValis, she stopped dead.

All around her was the heap of weakened witches, drained by the battle, their spells flickering like dying embers. The air hummed with leftover magic.

Across the smoke-stained sky, Mia and Elowyn catch sight of her.

Metella screamed-a mix of fury and grief-and launched forward, ready to tear through anyone in her way.

But Elowyn's hand lifted.

Her voice was soft but sharp with power.

"WELCOME TO YOUR DEATH, ...