Dahlia's POV
"Mommy, the stones are singing," Axel whispered. His voice wasn't childish anymore. It was ancient, like a hundred voices speaking at once. "They're so hungry. They've been hungry for a hundred years."
One of the Hollowed leaped from the wall. Nate intercepted it mid-air, his jaws snapped shut on the creature's throat, but as it dissipated into thin air, two more latched onto his wounded side. Nate let out a pained roar, collapsing to one knee.
"Nate!" I screamed.
"Aidan, the lighter!" I barked.
My son handed it to me, his hands were shaking.
I didn't use it to light a fire. I looked at the black silk veil Gina was wearing, the ceremonial dress of the sacrifice. I remembered what Silas had said about the Old Ways. They used fire to purify the shadows.
I didn't think. I lunged at her.
