The ground trembled again.
Not violently.
But with a slow, heavy vibration that traveled upward through the stone like the echo of something enormous shifting far below the earth.
Dust slid down the inner walls of the basin. Pebbles tumbled into the glowing fracture with soft ticking sounds that felt unnaturally loud in the silence.
Aurelia didn't move.
The covenant beneath her skin reacted instantly, its steady pulse transforming into something sharper. Not pain. Not fear.
Recognition.
Whatever slept beneath the earth had been part of the system the covenant once monitored.
And it was waking up.
Mira crouched beside the edge of the basin, staring down into the glowing crack.
"Okay," she said slowly. "I officially hate this."
The scarred wolf crossed his arms, scanning the surrounding ridges.
"How big is it?"
The silver-eyed wolf didn't hesitate.
"We don't know."
"That's not reassuring."
"We know it is older than the covenant itself."
Mira blinked.
"…That's worse."
