MELANIE’S POVThe air in my throne room crackled with rage.The walls trembled as I threw a glass of crimson wine across the floor. It shattered into a thousand pieces.“Alex!” I screamed. “How dare you face them without my order?”He stood by the doorway, head bowed, his armor still dented from Kieran’s strike. “I thought I could handle them, my queen.”I stalked toward him, my gown trailing across the black marble. “Handle them?” My voice was sharp as ice. “You nearly got yourself killed and worse, you made me hand them their son!”Alex clenched his fists. “I didn’t mean to, my queen. Please pardon me.”“Pardon you?!” I snapped. My hand glowed with dark light, and the air around him burned with invisible fire.He groaned but didn’t move. “You need me alive, remember?”I stopped, narrowing my eyes. “Do not test me, Alex. You are replaceable.”He straightened slowly, blood dripping from his mouth. “Maybe. But no one else fights for you like I do.”For a long moment, I said nothing. Th
JADE’S POVThe night was silent, too silent for comfort.We stood before the mouth of the tunnel, a black hole beneath the roots of the dead forest. A cold wind blew from within, carrying the stench of blood and burnt ash.Hardin sniffed the air and growled. “This is it.”Kieran nodded. “Stay close. The tunnel’s full of traps.”Alvina’s silver eyes gleamed faintly in the dark. “Melanie doesn’t want anyone getting in… or out.”I swallowed hard. “Then we’ll make her regret underestimating us.”Kieran gave me a faint smirk before stepping forward. His body glowed faintly gold, the air trembling around him as his power spread through the walls.He snapped his fingers. “Watch your step.”The ground shook suddenly BOOM! — and sharp spikes shot from the earth where we had just been standing.Hardin whistled. “Nice catch.”Kieran replied, “Told you, traps.”We moved carefully, one step at a time. The air grew thicker as we went deeper. Strange whispers echoed through the tunnel, like ghosts c
JADE’S POVKieran sat on a rock near the edge of the dark forest, staring at his hands. The golden glow that once covered his skin was gone. Only faint scars of shadow magic remained.I stood beside him quietly, afraid to break the stillness. Hardin, however, didn’t believe in silence for long.He crossed his arms and said, “Alright, let’s talk. What happened to our sworn brothers, Kieran? Where are they?”Kieran didn’t look up. “They’re alive… barely. Melanie’s holding them in her dungeon beneath the dark tower.”Hardin frowned. “All of them?”Kieran nodded slowly. “Bryan, Scott… even Selene. She’s feeding off their powers, using their energy to build her army.”Alvina gasped softly. “Bryan too?” Her voice cracked a little.Kieran’s eyes softened when he looked at her. “Yes, Bryan too. I’m sorry, Alvina.”She swallowed hard and looked away. “He was… he is my mate. I should’ve been the one in that dungeon, not him.”Hardin stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, don’t
JADE’S POVThe red light was blinding when we stepped through the door.For a moment, I couldn’t see anything. The air was hot and heavy, thick with the smell of smoke and roses.Then the light faded, and we were standing inside a huge hall made of black stone. Flames burned in golden bowls on each side, and at the far end stood a tall throne carved from crystal and bone.And sitting on it… was Melanie.Her red dress shimmered like liquid fire. Her silver hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her crimson lips curved into a wicked smile.“Welcome,” she said softly, her voice echoing across the hall. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it, Jade.”I stared at her coldly. “I’m not here for games, Melanie. Where is Kieran?”Melanie’s eyes sparkled. “Straight to the point. How very unlike you.”Hardin stepped beside me, hand on his sword. “Don’t waste our time. Bring him out and also my sworn brothers. I fact every of your prisoners”Melanie chuckled. “Ah, Hardin. Still so loya
JADE’S POVThe air around Melanie’s fortress was heavy, like something was breathing through the mist.Every step we took toward the dark gates made the ground hum softly under our feet.Hardin whispered, “This place gives me chills.”Alvina glared at the massive doors. “Keep your guard up. This is Melanie’s nest. She’s watching.”“I know,” I said quietly, gripping the spell book close to my chest.The gates creaked open on their own, slowly, as if welcoming us. A long, black corridor stretched ahead, lit by torches that burned with blue fire.Hardin frowned. “That’s not creepy at all.”“Stay close,” I said, stepping in first.The air inside was cold, damp, and smelled like iron. Every sound echoed. Even our footsteps sounded like whispers.Alvina muttered, “I hate this silence.”“Silence means danger,” Hardin replied. “She’s setting us up.”We moved deeper until the torches flickered and the walls began to shimmer. Suddenly, the air changed, it was warmer, and brighter.Hardin blinke
JADE’S POVThe first light of dawn painted the sky gold and pink when I stepped out of the villa.The air was cool and heavy with fog. The scent of pine and morning dew filled my lungs.Hardin and Alvina were already waiting for me near the gate. Both of them looked serious, ready for battle.Hardin tightened his gloves. “We leave now or never. The storm around the valley is growing.”I nodded. “Let’s go.”As we walked through the quiet path, no one spoke for a while. The forest seemed alive, whispering, and watching.Finally, Alvina broke the silence.“We’ll cross the River of Shadows, right?”“Yes,” I said, eyes forward. “It’s the only way into Melanie’s domain.”Hardin frowned. “That river’s cursed. They say whoever looks into the water sees their deepest fear.”“I’m not afraid,” I said firmly. “Not anymore.”He looked at me, half-smiling. “You really have changed, Jade.”“Maybe,” I said softly. “Or maybe I’ve just stopped running from what I am.”The path narrowed as we moved deep