The goddess reached into her pocket and retrieved an ornate silver crescent made of filigree wire. “When you have repaired the pylons, use this talisman to return.”
Once we’d memorized the spell to activate the talisman, we gathered at the edge of the open portal. A wild, windswept landscape flickered beyond, and cold air rushed toward us.
I became keenly aware that I was only wearing socks on my feet. Of course, I could travel as a wolf, but how would I carry the moonstone? I glanced between my precious black boots and the goddess. “If you didn’t like my offering, could I maybe take it back?”
She gave me a pained expression and waved her hand. “Please. Remove them from my temple and burn them. They profane this space.”
I rushed over, slipped them on, and quickly laced them up, then rejoined the others.
While I did so, Jaxson took the loremaster’s arm. “Stay here. Wait for us.”
She glared at him. “Absolutely not. This will make too good of a story.”
He shook his head. “You’re staying, and that’s an order. If we fail, someone needs to know what’s happening. Warn them.”
The loremaster gritted her teeth. “Fine. But don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing. Leaving the dead weight behind.”
Jaxson smiled softly. “This is the way it must be. Call Regina and let her know what’s going on, and make a plan to move forward without us. Anyway, I’m sure the Moon has many stories that will befit the pack. This could be a good chance to get some juicy details.”
He turned and headed over to join Sam and me at the portal.
The loremaster waved dismissively. “Fine, fine, fine. But you’re coming back. Otherwise, we’re all screwed anyway.”
The Moon gestured to the shimmering portal and the wild landscape beyond. “Go quickly. Sweet dreams, and good luck.”
I reached out and grasped Jaxson’s hand, and we stepped through.