The old stone building on the outskirts of the city looked abandoned from the outside, but Lila knew better. She had spent weeks researching the whispers online, secret gatherings, women-only circles, rumors of ancient rites and blood oaths under the full moon. As a skeptic and amateur journalist, she told herself she was doing it for the story. Deep down, a darker curiosity pulled her here.
Tonight was the night.
Lila adjusted the black hooded robe she had stolen from a side entrance earlier that evening. The fabric was heavy and smelled faintly of incense and something metallic. She kept her head low as she slipped through the iron gate and followed the faint sound of chanting toward the inner courtyard. Torches flickered along the stone path, casting long shadows that danced like livi
