The ancient doorway groaned as it opened, stone grinding against stone in a deep, resonant sound that vibrated through the snow beneath my feet. The air that leaked out was cold in a different way than the valley storm. This cold felt old. Heavy. Expectant. As if the room beyond had been holding its breath for centuries.
Talon stepped forward first, half shifted, his gold eyes glowing in the dim light. Snow clung to his fur along his jaw and shoulders. He sniffed the air cautiously, then glanced back at me.
“Stay behind me,” he murmured. “This place feels alive.”
He was right. The air pulsed faintly, almost like breath against the skin. My mark burned softly, responding to something inside the structure.
Kael lifted his torch, illuminating the entrance. Runes carved into the stone wall
