Aria lay on the cold stone floor of the ancient chamber, her back arched in pain, her eyes glowing with silver fire. The crescent mark on her wrist blazed so brightly it lit up the entire room. It was no longer a mark. It was a warning.
Dax tried to move, to get away from the heat, the light, the force pushing him down, but something held him there. An invisible power pulled him closer to her, like a magnet. He was stuck, pinned to her side, heart pounding.
"ARIA!" he shouted, reaching out.
But he could not touch her. An invisible barrier pulsed between them. Every time Kael, Ren, Lyra, or the others tried to come closer, they were shoved back by a blast of energy. Even Liora, who had started to whisper healing spells, was forced to stop.
"What is happening?" Liora cried.
"Something… ancient is waking." Rael murmured.
