Chapter 23 · Mira Lit the Keep

The green fire didn't burn.

It froze.

I watched it crawl up the stone walls like living ice, spreading fingers of cold flame across the great hall. Wolves were screaming. Running. The temperature dropped so fast my breath came out in clouds.

"Thornwood fire." Cade's voice was low, deadly. "How the hell—"

"Everyone out!" Damon was already moving, shoving pack members toward the exits. "Now!"

But the flames were faster. They sealed the main doors in seconds, trapping us inside. The windows next. Green light reflected off panicked faces as wolves slammed against the barriers and recoiled, howling.

Garrett was on his knees, clutching his throat where the curse had choked him. Blood trickled from his nose.

Cade grabbed my arm. "Did you do this?"

"No." I stared at the fire. I'd seen it before. Six years ago, it had eaten through Thornwood's packhouse while I hid in the cellar, listening to my father scream. "But I know who did."

A laugh echoed through the hall.

Not from any of us.

The green flames parted like curtains, and she walked through.

Mira.

She looked exactly the same as the night she'd found me in that rogue camp two years ago.