Chapter 203

Author The night air cut through the woods, cold enough to bite. Noah didn't need a map. The directions were just there, in his head, like a song he couldn't stop hearing. A heavy pull in his gut led him on, straight through the dark woods. Mara was waiting in the low hollow, exactly where she'd said she'd be. A small, unnatural fire cast long, dancing shadows, making her wild hair look like living smoke. He could feel the stone in his pocket thrumming, a steady, ugly heartbeat in time with his steps. He stopped just outside the ring of firelight. " What's so important it couldn't wait 'til morning ? " he demanded, the words clipped. " I had to slip out like a thief. " Mara looked at him. For a second, he saw pure annoyance in her eyes. Then it was gone, covered up by her usual cool, amused mask. " I felt the shift, " she said, her voice a low hum that matched the shard's vibration. " The chill coming off your sister from miles away. She's putting distance between you. Drawing back to