The locket pulsed once against Aria’s chest, hot as a living thing. Damon’s arms were still locked around her on the balcony, his heartbeat thundering against her ribs. For three seconds, the world held its breath. Then the glass shattered. A black arrow hissed past Damon’s ear and exploded against the stone wall, spraying shards of ice that sizzled where they landed. The scent of wolfsbane filled the air. “Down!” Damon roared, shoving Aria to the floor as a second arrow came. He moved like a shadow, faster than human eyes could track. His claws slid out with a soft _shink_, and the next arrow he caught mid-air. The wood splintered in his fist. Aria hit the cold stone, heart hammering. The countdown timer in her vision flickered: _29:22:48:00_. Twenty-nine days. But right now, she had three seconds to live. Below them, the gardens erupted. Shadows peeled away from the hedges. Five rogues in black armor surged toward the balcony, their eyes glowing amber. Selena’s text wasn’t
Last Updated : 2026-06-25 Read more