Chapter 209 1/6 AURORA I understand enough , he says , his voice unyielding .


    Ive lost enough .


    Im not losing you too .


    Before I could further argue with him , the air shifts around us , and the mist starts to take form , sharpening by the second .


    Shapes are taking form and morphing into figures … twisted mockeries of people from Danes past .


    A woman with golden hair stands at the edge of the mist , her face twisted in a mask of pain .


    Beside her , a young boy clutches her hand , his eyes wide in fear .


    No , Dane whispers , his voice breaking .


    The figures step closer ; their forms are twisted , and unnatural .


    The boys face screws up , his mouth open in a silent scream .


    Dane , what are they ? I ask , my voice shaking .


    Theyre my fears , he says , his body stiff with tension .


    My failures .


    The visionssh out , their movements weird but deliberate .


    Dane raises his arms in defense , his movements are quick but strained .


    You couldnt save us , the woman says , her voice sad and weak You let us die .


    Chapter 209 The boy moves closer , his small hands outstretched to Dane .


    You promised , he says , the tone too steady .


    You said youd take care of us .


    Dane stumbled backward , his skin pale .


    2/6 Dane ! I yell , raising the pendant high .


    For a second its glow cuts through , forcing the illusions to shatter .


    Liriens voice cuts through the fog , imperative .


    The grove feeds on guilt and fear .


    He is open to it here .


    He cannot stay .


    Dane shakes his head .


    Heavy breathing escapes from his lips as he growls , I wont leave her .


    Youre not helping her , Lirien snaps , its form shimmering with irritability .


    Your presence only makes the grove that much stronger .


    Leave before you are both devoured .


    Dane , I tried again , my words shaking .


    Listen to Lirien .


    You have to leave , or it will destroy you .


    I w … wont be able to , he responds , his words breaking .


    I wont let it take me away from you .


    The grove raves on , furor doubled , and more join the horde wolves twisted monstrous forms , their eyes aglow with malice .


    The glow of the pendant reduced , my hands shaking as the bursts increased further life from its depths .


    Ill hold them off , Dane says suddenly .


    An edge has crept into his voice now , his body firm , though a quick flicker reveals his Chapter 209 hand .


    3/6 You have got to finish this , Aurora .


    You are all that you can .


    No ! I snap , catching his arm .


    I wont leave you behind .


    You dont have a choice , he says , his voice low and even .


    This is bigger than us .


    Bigger than me .


    I blink through my tears but shake my head .


    We do this together .


    No matter what .


    The illusions close in , their distorted faces leering as they circle us .


    Dane stands beside me , his body tense and ready to fight .


    Then lets finish it , he says to me .


    We forge ahead in concert .


    With every use , the light in the pendant gutters , the illusions threatening to break through .


    Daneshes out at the figures with brutal efficiency , desperation driving his movements .


    The mist grows thinner with our passage ; a clearing opens up before us , and there , at the middle of the grove , is its center tree its roots twisting , running with corruption .


    Were almost there , I say , and my voice is tight with determination .


    The roots seem to sense our approach , twisting violently as dark branches rise from the ground .


    Lirien appears again , its form flickering .


    Chapter 209 4/6 tree will not wait .


    You must decide .


    We fight our way through the final few roots ; its corrupted energy whishing out as though it were a living thing .


    The pendant red brighter once more , beating them off us long enough to reach the bottom of the tree .


    The roots divided now , showing a heart pulsating bright in the center of it .


    Power hummed the air .


    It was thick to such a degree my skin tingled with the energy .


    Liriens voice fills my head , soft and insistent .


    The time of choice hase , now , Luna .


    Will you revive the grove … or let it rot ? I ze at the heart , hypnotic in the core light , almost threatened by it .


    Dane reaches out and brushes his hand across mine .


    The touch grounds me .


    Aurora, he says softly .


    Whichever way , Im with you .


    I shut my eyes momentarily , willing the anger inside me to calm .


    The glow of the heart pulses , each beat tugging me closer toward .


    a decision Im not prepared to make .


    Restore it , I whisper .


    Sacrifice it all , and it ends here .


    Its just too simr to me in my mind as far as cost is concerned .


    What if I fail ? I whisper , turning to Lirien , whose shadowed form stands unstirring .


    You wont , Lirien says with such surety .


    The grove has chosen you .


    The grove shall take your sacrifice .


    Chapter 209 There isnt , I say , my voice breaking .


    Youve seen what this ce can do .


    If I walk away , the pack suffers .


    5/6 The grove dies .


    Dane steps closer , his voice raw .


    And what about you ? What happens to you , Aurora ? Dont you think you matter too ? My chest tightens , tears filling my eyes .


    This isnt about me , I say .


    Its about all of us .


    The roots rolled around the glowing heart , dark branches .


    creeping closer as if sensing the weight of my hesitation .


    The choice cannot wait , Lirien says .


    Decide , Luna .


    Now .


    I step closer , and the heat from the glowing heart caresses my skin as if it were alive .


    Its light seems to intensify , demanding my attention , and tugging me closer .


    Dane reaches for my arm , his touch light yet firm .


    Aurora , wait … theres still time to think this through .


    There isnt , I answer , my voice shaking , yet set .


    The grove wont let us leave without a decision .


    The branches around my heart coil tighter , their agitation now violent in response to the thought in my mind .


    It is as though all that air holds heavy , in me with the weight of so many lives hanging in the bnce , the packs , mine .


    Whatever happens , I tell him , turning back to Dane .


    promise Chapter 209 Aurora , no .


    6/6 Promise ! I scream over him , my voice drowning him in a sea of tears .


    His hand falls , his face contorted in rage and misery .


    I swear it , he growls .


    His voice is barely audible .


    I lean forward , toward the heart , and the pendant resting against my chest surges to life in soft golden light .


    The minute my fingers make contact with the light , a low rumbling growl explodes from the grove behind him and I am paralyzed .


    A monster steps out from behind the trees , green fire aze in his eyes .