The temple smelled of damp stone and decay. Cobwebs hung in the corners, and the floor was littered with broken pottery and bones. My stomach churned, but the pull from the mark was stronger than my fear.
“This place… it’s… wrong.” Gage muttered. “It doesn’t feel empty. It feels… waiting.”
Arlo stopped at the center of the room. “There’s a pedestal.” He said. “The Codex should be there. But there’s… a barrier. Look.”
A shimmering field of silver energy surrounded a stone pedestal. It rippled when I walked near, like water disturbed. I could feel it tugging at me, calling me, demanding me to step closer.
“Do you feel that?” I whispered.
“Yes.” Asher said. “It’s like the one on your chest. Connected. That’s why it’s pulling you.”
Gage scowled. “So… she touches it and what? We’re all de
