Chapter 93

• The cleansing ritual began as the sun set, casting an amber glow over the fae forest clearing. The air was thick with magic, charged with anticipation and the weight of what was at stake. Elaris and her coven of witches moved in synchronized precision, their voices rising in a harmonious chant that seemed to resonate with the very earth beneath them. The protective circle they wove glowed faintly, shimmering with layers of complex runes and sigils designed to contain the energy about to be unleashed.
• Amara stood at the center of the circle, the artifact cradled in her hands. Its light pulsed rhythmically, matching the beat of her heart. She could feel the energy building, a powerful force that was both familiar and alien. Her body tensed as the first wave of the artifact’s power surged through her, connecting her to the ritual in a way that was intimate and overwhelming.
• Xander and Asher stood just outside the circle, their weapons drawn, their faces etched with worry. They could do nothing but watch, their trust in Amara unshaken despite the danger she faced.