Chapter 11: The Stone Circle

The stone circle stood on the bluff behind Highgate.

It was twelve gray slabs in a ring, with one flat altar in the middle.

By the time Hattie and I got there, the Council sat on benches around the edge.

Two hundred wolves stood behind them.

My father sat on a stool in the center, with a guard on each side.

Ansel walked behind me with his eyes lowered, the way I had asked him to.

I had told him one more thing in the corridor.

"If it goes wrong, don't fight them for me. Stay alive."

He had said, "That isn't possible," and I hadn't had time to ask him what he meant.

Corbin stood at the altar in a white ceremonial robe over his cardigan.

On the stone beside him lay a silver collar, thin and polished.

"Dara," he said, warm and sorry. "We decided to move up the Rite.

"You made such an impression last night that it seemed unkind to make you wait."

"Dad," I said. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, honey." He didn't look fine. "Don't do it. Whatever they ask. Don't."

"The collar is only a formality," Corbin said, and held it up so the whole bluff could see.

"It binds the Apex to the heir of the Seat for life. A beautiful old custom."

Lucas stepped out of the line of wolves and came to stand by his father.

He looked radiant.

"Come here, Dara," he said. "Kneel at the stone, and give me your neck."

A murmur went around the circle.

Two hundred people watched me take one step forward, and then another.