Chapter 25 · Blade Under a Black Moon

The knife's heavier than it looks.

Viktor places it in my palm like he's handing me a wedding gift. Silver blade, bone handle, symbols carved into the metal that make my eyes water when I try to focus on them. The ceremonial circle glows faint blue under my feet—salt, ash, something that smells like burnt hair.

"Just a cut," Viktor says. His smile's the kind that makes you want to check your back for holes. "Deep enough to fill the basin. The eclipse does the rest."

I look up. The moon's almost gone. Just a sliver of red hanging in the sky like a fingernail clipping dipped in blood.

Behind Viktor, six wolves form a half-circle. Eyes reflecting that dying moonlight. They're not moving. Just watching. Waiting for me to bleed.

"Ethan—"

"Is exactly where he needs to be." Viktor tilts his head toward the east. "Fighting that chain. Tearing himself apart trying to get to you. Sweet, really. The bond makes it worse, you know. Every second you're in danger, his wolf goes more feral. By the time he breaks free..."

He doesn't finish. Doesn't need to.

I hear it then. A howl that makes my spine lock up.