Chapter 136

I grabbed the dagger.

Nathan and Liam reacted instantly.

“Emily!”

“What the hell are you doing?” Nathan snarled.

“Put it down,” Liam added quickly.

But I barely heard them. The second my fingers wrapped around the hilt, something moved. Not physically. Inside me.

The ruby flashed a dark, angry crimson. The blade pulsed once against my skin like a heartbeat. Alive. The dagger was alive.

Nathan stepped toward me. “Emily, put it down. Right now.”

I tightened my grip instead, my entire body trembling violently. “It hates me,” I whispered in shock.

The witch froze. “What?”

“It’s resisting me.” My pulse raced harder. “Like it doesn’t want me touching it.”

Power flooded through my veins suddenly. Wild. Burning. Every sealed piece of myself ripped wide open. My phantom wolf. The healing. The shields. All five gifts surged awake inside me so violently I nearly choked on the sudden rush.

“O