Book excerpt: A fiendish crone is plotting against Alex and her werewolf lover . . . and that's just the beginning. Things have settled down for practicing witch, Alex Grisham. It has been two years since evil touched her life and that of her Sisters in the Laurel Tree Coven. And her love life is incredible--her partner Dan is everything she ever wanted in a man, even if he is a werewolf. All is well. If it weren't for the dreams . . . Alex has been plagued by menacing nightmares, centering on a malevolent old woman working some sort of dark magic. The dreams leave her on edge, waiting for the worst. Still, she tries to discount them as only her imagination. Until the murders start. Someone is committing ritualistic killings in Alex's community. Alex and her Sisters get involved in the case, but any answers they find only lead to more questions. Meanwhile, trouble is brewing for Alex at home. Dan is fighting his inner wolf . . . and the wolf seems to be winning. Then Alex discovers the chilling truth. The crone in her nightmares is very, very real . . . and she's been controlling Dan's wolf. But Dan is just a part of a much bigger plan. The old woman is creating the ultimate ritual, one that will unleash an ancient, unholy evil on the world. Alex has to find a way to stop her--even if it costs her the life of the man she loves . . .