The circular platform shuddered once, deep and low, like a creature waking from centuries of sleep. The glowing sigils carved along its spiraling surface brightened until they painted the trees in shifting silver light. Every pulse of that glow echoed inside my chest, responding to my heartbeat in perfect rhythm. I felt the match synchronizing even as I tried desperately to pull away from it.
But the roots still held me.
Thin glowing tendrils coiled around my ankles and calves, not hurting me, simply refusing to release. As if they believed I belonged here.
Beau gripped my arm with both hands, anchoring me to him with brute determination. “We are getting you out of this circle. Do you hear me.”
Jack stood in front of me, shoulders squared, claws half drawn, eyes burning with gold light
