Skyler knew her strongest connection was with Mother Earth both from Dragonseeker blood and her human mother. She would need everything she was in order to create a safety zone where no Lycan could cross—unless, like Dimitri, he had Carpathian blood as well.
She had chosen her spot well. Just a few miles from where they set up camp was a clearing. They could see anything coming at them from any direction. The soil was rich so Dimitri and Josef could go to ground and no harm could come to them. Paul and she would be exposed to the sight of the Lycans, but the wolves wouldn't be able to get to them. If they reached that safety zone—and it worked—they could simply wait the arrival of her father and uncle.
She winced, thinking about facing her father. He would be very angry, which she could take, but he'd also be hurt and that was far worse.
"I picked up the exact location from the tracking bug you dropped in the Lycan's pocket," Josef said. "We're good to go. Get our fail-safe up and running and I can take you close to the camp. Paul and I will be waiting to cover your retreat."
Fortunately, her chosen clearing brought them a few miles closer to Dimitri. Paul and Josef walked with her to the spot, neither trying to hurry her, both sensing this was a difficult task. Each part of that shield, above them, below them, surrounding them, had to be sealed.
She stood in the middle of the clearing for a moment, feeling the welcoming earth beneath her feet. She was surrounded on four sides by the cool of the forest. Slowly, she began to walk clockwise. As she moved, she sent out a brilliant stream of light ahead of her, to clear and cleanse the clearing.
I call upon you, powers of air, bring forth your breath to guard this circle.
I call upon you, powers of fire, witness this rite, bring forth your flame.
I call upon you, powers of water, hold and align your healing waters.
I call upon you, powers of earth, sustain me by holding me close.
Air that is my breath,
Fire that is my heart's blood,
Water that is the blood of my veins,
Earth that is my mother,
I call to thee,