The old stone building on the outskirts of the city looked abandoned from the outside, but Lila knew better. She had spent weeks researching the whispers online, secret gatherings, women-only circles, rumors of ancient rites and blood oaths under the full moon. As a skeptic and amateur journalist, she told herself she was doing it for the story. Deep down, a darker curiosity pulled her here.

Tonight was the night.

Lila adjusted the black hooded robe she had stolen from a side entrance earlier that evening. The fabric was heavy and smelled faintly of incense and something metallic. She kept her head low as she slipped through the iron gate...