CURSED LYCAN
The ritual chamber was massive. Circular, carved from black stone, lit by torches that cast dancing shadows on walls covered in ancient symbols. Fifty cages lined the perimeter. Each one held a prisoner—lycans and humans, all drugged, all waiting.
And in the center, on a raised platform, Emma hung unconscious in silver chains.
Valeria stood beside her. Dressed in ceremonial robes, hands raised, chanting in a language that made Sera's teeth ache.
She hadn't noticed them yet. Too focused on her ritual.
Sera moved first. Silent. Fast. Crossed half the distance to the platform before a guard spotted her.
"Intruders!"
Everything exploded into chaos.
Guards converged. Sera met them with blade and fury. Cut through the first two before they could draw weapons. Ducked under a third's swing, drove her knife up through his ribs.
