A murmur spread among the witches.

One of the younger wizards leaned forward, defiant.

"Then what of our cause? Will we let a child ruin the balance we bled to create?"

An elder responded sharply, "She is the balance. If the prophecy holds, her awakening ends the scent chain. No Alpha, no Haspan, no dominion. Just us-"

The words caught in his throat as the Veilfire flickered again, warningly.

Another witch slammed her palm on the table.

"Exactly! When the balance ...