Aria's POV
The forest exploded into chaos. Mercenary wolves collided with rogues in a storm of claws, snapping jaws, and flying dirt.
Trees shuddered as bodies slammed into them. Growls and agonized howls echoed across the sacrifice grounds.
I didn't have time to watch.
Three mercenaries rushed me at once. The strange black restraints strapped to their arms glowed with crimson runes.
"Target acquired!"
"Fire!"
A metallic collar shot toward me. I threw myself sideways. The collar struck a tree instead. The instant it wrapped around the trunk, the bark blackened as though the device itself drained the life from whatever it touched.
My heart skipped. If that thing hits us...
Don't let it, Lydia snarled.
Another mercenary swung one of the rune-covered staffs. I caught it before it re
