LOGINELISE’S POVYEARS LATER.The sun was warm that morning. The golden light filled the gardens. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I could just sit and breathe without fear sitting heavy in my chest. The air smelled sweet, full of roses, and the world felt gentle again.I sat under the will
Elise’s POVThe world stopped spinning the moment I saw it.The devourer.The thing Gina had called forth twisted behind her in a storm of shadows. Its form shifted into many forms. It was almost too terrible for the eyes to follow. It looked like smoke given flesh, like nightmares sculpted into bei
I swallowed hard. My tears blurred my vision.“Gina,” I whispered “This ends tonight. You and me.”The fight exploded in an instant.The courtyard shook beneath my feet as Gina and I circled each other.Gina tilted her head. Lyra whimpered in her arms. Every time my daughter screamed, the earth spli
ELISE’S POVJackson’s body was warm in my arms, but the life had already drained from his eyes. His lips were parted slightly, as if he still wanted to say something—something he hadn’t gotten the chance to tell me. My throat burned as I swallowed hard. Tears rolled down my eyes.Gina laughed loudly
ELISE’S POVI ran out of the battle field. I let my wolf guide me to Gina’s location. I could already perceive her scent in the air. But then I heard it.The scream.“Help! Someone—please!”My blood ran cold. That voice… it was my mother’s.I didn’t even think. My feet carried me , tracing her voice
ELISE’S POVThe sky darkened, swallowing every trace of sunlight. The eclipse had come.I stood at the window, staring at the darkness in the heavens. My heart was pounding so loud it drowned out the silence. The shadows crawled across the walls of the castle. The air was heavy with dread, and deep
ELISE'S POV There was a smile on my face as I hurried toward the training grounds. I felt much better now, stronger. The bruises from the attack had faded, and I was itching to get back into action. Ferris had made a big deal about this training—insisting that I needed to be stronger, more prepared
ELISE’S POVWe stood at the edge of Vaelven, and for a long moment, no one moved.It was nothing like I imagined.They said Vaelven had once been a city of light and silver towers. Now, all I saw were shattered stone and collapsed arches buried beneath years of crawling ivy. Here, the sky was red. I
This was it.I took a deep breath as I moved inside.I pushed the curtain aside and went in.The interior was a bit dark. I spotted her immediately.Maelis.She was small and frail. Two fingers were missing from her left hand. Her hair was long, silver, tangled with feathers and dried herbs.She did
Even the Thirteenth Claw retreated. They started shielding themselves with runes and sigils. But I stood still. The rune on my throat flared, and the creature bowed its head toward me. "I am no fool," I said, as silence returned. "I made a deal. I pay the price. But I hold the leash." "You’re ma







