THE HAUNTING OF WILDERS RIDGE

the air, tantalizing, dangerous. Samuel's eyes were locked on her, waiting for her response, but Mara couldn't afford to mak

hat had claimed to be her father. Everything had led to this point. The Stone, the power, the curse-it was all connected to her bloodli

er the connection between herself and s

iousness. "You don't have to decide now. I know this is ov

amuel. I can't keep putting this off. The longer I wait, the stronger

"But there's still time. We can find a way to destroy i

. "The Stone is ancient, powerful. If I don't make a decision soon

nderstand. But whatever you choose, know t

tly in the dim light. The Stone was waiting, its presence heavy and demanding. The cave

d to her, calling her name. She could almost see the power within it, the untold possibilities that it offered. She could feel the weight of it,

rom this very thing. She remembered his warnings, his fear. He had understood what the Stone was c

that had urged her to accept the power-began to quie

y it," she said, he

with the weight of her declaration. Samuel's eyes widened, but

turn back now. I'll find a way to d

nd them. The ground rumbled beneath their feet, and the Stone's power sur

h energy. The walls of the cavern seemed to close in around them

spun toward the sound. From the shadows, the fi

are a fool, Mara. You cannot destroy what has always been

irm. "I'm not trying to destroy you

u can destroy, child. It has existed for millennia. You are nothing more than a

eadying. "You're wrong. I have the p

berated through the cavern. "Then try. But know this: when t

t deter her. She turned to Samuel, her gaze locking with his.

ession serious. "We'll

nd foreboding. "You may think you have a choice

d into the shadows, leaving Mara

l vibrating in the air. But Mara's resolve remained unshaken. Sh

her wondered-had she trul