The crack sealed with a violent snap that sucked the air out of the clearing. The force of it slammed into my chest like a physical blow, throwing me backward onto the dirt. Pain shot up my spine, but I barely felt it. All I could hear was Sage’s scream echoing in my mind.
Jax.
Her voice lingered like a ghost inside my skull, raw with terror. Then it faded into a muffled silence that hollowed out my chest.
I dragged myself upright, breath tearing out of me. “Sage,” I whispered. “Sage, answer me.”
Nothing.
Not even the faintest whisper across our tether.
Hazel collapsed beside the circle, her arms shaking so badly she could hardly hold herself up. Her magic still glowed weakly around the sigils she had drawn, but the light was fading fast. Sweat streaked down her face, and every breat
