He looked at her, one hand still on his sword. “You wouldn’t sign the pact,” he said in his velvety voice. “This is the third option. If you defeat the wight, you’ll become a servant of Emerazel, like I am. You can repay your debt that way.”

She took a deep, steadying breath. “I don’t really want to do that either. Can’t I just go back to my flat—”

“Ursula,” he interrupted. “You must decide now. Either sign the contract or defeat the monster. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to reap your soul. I don’t particularly want to do that. It means you’ll die now.”

From just beyond the stones, a guttural growl rumbled. A shiver snaked up Ursula’s spine. She had a feeling that whatever was out there wanted her soul, too. She gritted her teeth, nodding. Shadow stalker it is.

With his eyes locked on hers, Kester released the sword, stepping away. Ursula tried to steady her breathing, stepping toward it.

She inhaled deeply, yanking the sword from the frozen earth. Lighter than I thought.

Kester stepped away. “The wight will enter the circle when the light dims. You must defeat him.”

As she gripped the sword in both hands, she took a tentative swing. The blade moved easily through the air, and she nearly smiled at the sensation, relief flooding her for the first time tonight. Somehow the sword felt like an extension of her body, like one of her own limbs. F.U. must have swung a sword a thousand times before.

Kester chanted a spell, and as the air crackled with electricity, fur sprouted from his body. He lurched over, bones cracking; with a deep growl, he transformed into a hound. For a moment, he studied her, green eyes flashing, before bounding from the circle.

Above her, the orb began to dim.

Chapter 7

Despite the cold, sweat dampened her brow, and she gripped the sword hard. This blade would be her savior.

She strained to see in the dark, but she could no longer make out the monster’s hunched form. The wind picked up again, spraying snow between gaps in the ringstones.

She lifted her weapon, trying to keep the fear at bay. I’m a sitting duck here. Her mind raced. She was at a serious disadvantage, since she had no idea where or what this shadow stalker was. At least a stone could guard her back. She backed into the shelter of the nearest one.

To her right, something scratched at one of the stones, and she spun to face it. She held the sword in front of her, her breathing ragged. Ice flaked off the boulder, drifting to the ground, and fear stole her breath. Snow crunched behind her, and she whirled again. More fragments, crumbled off the stones. Where was this monster? A low growl spread through the circle, rumbling through her gut, followed by a sharp, scraping sound.