**Chris POV

I groaned, gritting my teeth as my bones reformed for the thousandth time. My inner beast roared in anguish as it bore the weight of the most dangerous of all knowledge. I felt it pull on my soul, already trying to drag me down to the depths of hell for daring to peer into where mortals are forbidden.

I got to my feet unsteadily, holding onto the ancient stone walls for balance. I could do with a rest…but I had no time to waste. The ritual needed to be ...