~Valeria~
Back at the base, I was sitting on the couch trying to read through the seal-breaking ritual steps, which was already giving me a headache because it was written in the most confusing way possible.
I was squinting at a paragraph about "channeling lunar essence through bloodline conduits" when Alerion walked over holding what looked like battle plans. He sat down next to me, close enough that our legs touched and spread out this whole security map on the coffee table.
"I've got scouts posted around the entire perimeter," he said, all business. "During the ritual, you'll be in the center of the altar. I'll be directly in front of you. Nothing gets through."
Before I could even respond, Zane came out of nowhere and literally wedged himself onto the couch next to me. Like full-o
