Aria's POV
I slowly extended my hand. He sliced it with a blade.
The moment my blood touched the altar, the entire chamber changed. The runes carved into the stone flared crimson.
Heat exploded beneath my palms. I gasped. Then the altar pulled at something inside me. My bloodline, my wolf, my very life force.
A scream tore from my throat as the energy was ripped out of my body.
Aria! Lydia's voice crashed through my mind. Get off it!
"I'm trying!" I pushed against the altar, but the runes tightened around me like invisible chains. Pain tore through my veins. My vision blurred. I could feel my bloodline being dragged toward the ancient symbols beneath me.
Silas stood several feet away, watching with a satisfied smile. "Beautiful, isn't it?"
I glared at him through the pain. "You cal
