Se connecterMoments later, Rina The smell of ozone and scorched stone lingered in the back of my throat, a sharp, metallic reminder of the silver-void light that had just erased three enchanted oak dummies from existence. It was a dry, hollow taste, like breathing in the dust of a star that had died a thousand years ago. I stood in the center of the combat arena, my breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches that felt like glass against my ribs. Around me, the arena was a tableau of fractured power. The werewolves were still down, their rugged frames twitching as they clawed at the stone, their internal wolves howling in a frequency only I could truly hear. Jaxon was the worst—he was slumped against a pillar, his amber eyes blown wide, his scent of pine and woodsmoke curdled into something sour and defeated. They think I did this to them. They think I reached out and crushed their spirits with a flick of my wrist. "Everyone out! Clear the floor! Medical teams to the arena, now!" The voice of
Moments later, Rina The smell of ozone and scorched stone lingered in the back of my throat, a sharp, metallic reminder of the silver-void light that had just erased three enchanted oak dummies from existence. It was a dry, hollow taste, like breathing in the dust of a star that had died a thousand years ago. I stood in the center of the combat arena, my breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches that felt like glass against my ribs. Around me, the arena was a tableau of fractured power. The werewolves were still down, their rugged frames twitching as they clawed at the stone, their internal wolves howling in a frequency only I could truly hear. Jaxon was the worst—he was slumped against a pillar, his amber eyes blown wide, his scent of pine and woodsmoke curdled into something sour and defeated. They think I did this to them. They think I reached out and crushed their spirits with a flick of my wrist. "Everyone out! Clear the floor! Medical teams to the arena, now!" The voice of
Moments later, Rina The smell of ozone and scorched stone lingered in the back of my throat, a sharp, metallic reminder of the silver-void light that had just erased three enchanted oak dummies from existence. It was a dry, hollow taste, like breathing in the dust of a star that had died a thousand years ago. I stood in the center of the combat arena, my breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches that felt like glass against my ribs. Around me, the arena was a tableau of fractured power. The werewolves were still down, their rugged frames twitching as they clawed at the stone, their internal wolves howling in a frequency only I could truly hear. Jaxon was the worst—he was slumped against a pillar, his amber eyes blown wide, his scent of pine and woodsmoke curdled into something sour and defeated. They think I did this to them. They think I reached out and crushed their spirits with a flick of my wrist. "Everyone out! Clear the floor! Medical teams to the arena, now!" The voice of
Moments later, Rina The smell of ozone and scorched stone lingered in the back of my throat, a sharp, metallic reminder of the silver-void light that had just erased three enchanted oak dummies from existence. It was a dry, hollow taste, like breathing in the dust of a star that had died a thousand years ago. I stood in the center of the combat arena, my breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches that felt like glass against my ribs. Around me, the arena was a tableau of fractured power. The werewolves were still down, their rugged frames twitching as they clawed at the stone, their internal wolves howling in a frequency only I could truly hear. Jaxon was the worst—he was slumped against a pillar, his amber eyes blown wide, his scent of pine and woodsmoke curdled into something sour and defeated. They think I did this to them. They think I reached out and crushed their spirits with a flick of my wrist. "Everyone out! Clear the floor! Medical teams to the arena, now!" The voice of
Moments later, Rina The smell of ozone and scorched stone lingered in the back of my throat, a sharp, metallic reminder of the silver-void light that had just erased three enchanted oak dummies from existence. It was a dry, hollow taste, like breathing in the dust of a star that had died a thousand years ago. I stood in the center of the combat arena, my breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches that felt like glass against my ribs. Around me, the arena was a tableau of fractured power. The werewolves were still down, their rugged frames twitching as they clawed at the stone, their internal wolves howling in a frequency only I could truly hear. Jaxon was the worst—he was slumped against a pillar, his amber eyes blown wide, his scent of pine and woodsmoke curdled into something sour and defeated. They think I did this to them. They think I reached out and crushed their spirits with a flick of my wrist. "Everyone out! Clear the floor! Medical teams to the arena, now!" The voice of
Moments later, Rina The smell of ozone and scorched stone lingered in the back of my throat, a sharp, metallic reminder of the silver-void light that had just erased three enchanted oak dummies from existence. It was a dry, hollow taste, like breathing in the dust of a star that had died a thousand years ago. I stood in the center of the combat arena, my breath coming in shallow, jagged hitches that felt like glass against my ribs. Around me, the arena was a tableau of fractured power. The werewolves were still down, their rugged frames twitching as they clawed at the stone, their internal wolves howling in a frequency only I could truly hear. Jaxon was the worst—he was slumped against a pillar, his amber eyes blown wide, his scent of pine and woodsmoke curdled into something sour and defeated. They think I did this to them. They think I reached out and crushed their spirits with a flick of my wrist. "Everyone out! Clear the floor! Medical teams to the arena, now!" The voice of
The next day, Rina's POV The skies above Astralis, capital of the Hidden Dominion, were the color of ash and bruised steel. Stormlight glimmered weakly through the clouds, casting the city in an eternal twilight that made even the angels look haunted.
Moments ago, Duskbane Estate Gardens, Stranger's POV The cold was not a factor. It was an extension of my will. It coiled around me. It was an obedient shadow. I stood deep in the oily, concealing darkness. The gnarled sycamore tree protected me. It was old
Moments later,Rina's POV The corridors of Aetherion were no longer a gauntlet of whispers and sneers; today, they felt like a runway. My black stiletto boots clicked against the polished stone with a rhythmic, predatory grace, each step punctuated by the rhythmic swa
Moments later, Rina's POV The cold, condemning stone of the Council Chamber was finally behind me. I didn’t just walk out; I stumbled, catching myself against the ancient, dark mahogany door frame. The sheer, overwhelming wash of relief was a physical blow, a sudden







