The Whispering Key

ith's diary, pieced together the fragments of the ritua

seal, keeping the shadow contained. But the seal

t red mark had appeared, shaped like a circular symbol with jagged

that seemed to pulse in time

la.

ck, louder and c

how you t

almost burning her skin. She hesitated,

he whispered, h

uddenly standing in the middle of the living room. The room was dark,

e same circular symbol as the mark on her wrist. Th

ed, coalescing into a familiar form. The shad

oice deep and resonant. "You could do what she could no

s. "Why would I trust

wn her spine. "Your grandmother was desperate. W

ontrol you," Lila

her. "When the ones you love are taken from you, when

Lila gasped, struggling to break free, but the mark on

coiled, its f

aid, its voice echoing. "The

. Lila was alone, her knees

lowing faintly. The shadow was right-she couldn

w to finish what her grandmother