Just as we were preparing to charge into the clearing, several figures emerged from the shadows and began placing objects within the large circle. That’s when I realized—they were forming smaller, individual barriers. Multiple rings inside the main one.
They dragged out a young teenage werewolf girl, sobbing and thrashing, and threw her into one of the smaller circles. The black witch immediately sealed it, trapping her inside.
Next, they hauled in a vampire and tossed her into another circle before sealing that one as well.
“Now, for the final act. The blood that will open the gateway—royal blood,” my father declared to the crowd. His followers erupted in cheers, but I was scanning the area, alert. No one was approaching us. No ambush. I felt Elias’s hand tighten around mine.
Then, an
