جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 35

Chapter Thirty-One The cell door slammed shut, and Marina was alone in the darkness. Not the Howling Cages this time. Just a stone room beneath the pack house, silver bars that suppressed her magic but didn't burn. Almost merciful compared to her first imprisonment. Which somehow made it worse. Through the bond, she felt Silvain pacing above her. Felt his anguish, his certainty that he'd made the wrong choice, his equally strong belief that he'd made the only choice possible. I didn't kill Moonseer, Marina sent through their connection. Someone used my shadow signature to frame me. I know. His mental voice was tired. But knowing and proving are different things. And right now, Silvermoon is demanding justice. What about our daughters? The bond went silent for a moment. Then: Lyra is caring for them. They're safe. Lyra. One of the three names Ragnar had given. One of the alleged traitors now alone with Marina's vulnerable pups. You can't trust her, Marina sent desper

Chapter Thirty-ThreeMarina's shadow magic exploded outward on pure instinct.Darkness erupted from her body, filling the Great Hall with writhing tendrils that lashed at Kael's warriors. Not to kill but to disorient, to buy precious seconds to think."Run!" Lyra grabbed Marina's arm, pulling her toward the eastern exit."No." Marina planted her feet, her hybrid nature recognizing the tactical mistake. "They're herding us. Whatever direction we run, they've already prepared for it."Kael's laugh confirmed her suspicion. "Smart hybrid. But not smart enough." He gestured, and his warriors began a coordinated advance. "Did you really think I wouldn't know the moment you shadow-walked into this hall? I've been monitoring every shadow anchor in Bloodfang territory for weeks."Marina's mind raced through options. She could fight, but twelve trained warriors plus Kael were overwhelming odds. She could shadow-walk again, but Kael clearly had that avenue covered. She could call Silvain throug

Chapter Thirty-Five.Marina ran.Not away from danger, but toward her daughters. Toward the nursery where Sera and Luna slept, vulnerable and unaware that an older version of one of them was coming to kill everyone in the pack house.Silvain ran beside her, their bond screaming with shared terror. Through the connection, Marina felt his primal need to protect his pups warring with his tactical mind trying to process the impossible."It doesn't make sense," he panted as they rounded a corner. "If future-Sera wanted us dead, why announce her arrival? Why give us warning?""Because she wants us to know why we're dying," Marina said, her shadow magic reaching ahead to scan for threats. "She's not here for silent assassination. She's here for revenge."They burst into the nursery to find both pups exactly where they should be, sleeping peacefully in their cradles. Marina's relief was so intense it nearly buckled her knees."They're safe," Silvain breathed. "Thank the gods, they're...""For