Selene stepped back into the heart of her dark, twisted woods, the gnarled trees bowing inward as if welcoming their mistress home.
The air buzzed with unnatural energy, and the sky above the canopy seemed to pulse with anticipation. Her laughter echoed through the blackened trunks,like a cold, spine curling sound that split the silence. It was the triumphant laugh of someone who had waited centuries for the stars to align.
With a casual flick of her wrist, she conjured a crow from swirling black smoke. The creature emerged mid caw and perched obediently on one of the crooked branches.
"Fly," she commanded. "Fly to the Blackmoon pack... Watch. Listen. Bring me everything."
The crow took off in a violent flutter of wings. Selene watched it disappear through the trees, then ran her fingers down her neck with slow pleasure. Her eyes fluttered shut, murmuring something only the forest could hear.
