The witches parted silently as Liam and the others approached. It happened naturally, almost instinctively, like water separating around a stone. No one spoke. No one gave instructions. Yet a perfect path opened through the gathering crowd, leading directly toward the center of the hill.
The chanting never stopped.
Hundreds of voices continued moving together in strange harmony, rising and falling in waves that seemed to vibrate through the very air itself.
Liam walked at the front beside Mary, his eyes fixed ahead.
The closer they got, the brighter the glow became.
At first he thought it was just some kind of magical circle.
Then he finally saw it properly.
"…Wow."
The word escaped before he could stop it.
The entire hilltop had been carved into an enormous formation.
