Blood and moonlight
Her skin shimmered, turning pale gold beneath the silver moonlight.
Cloth, silk, and starlight wrapped around her like a lover’s touch.
Armor of dusk formed at her chest—obsidian lined with radiant moonsteel, a sharp-edged design that spoke of elegance and war. Vines of glowing script coiled around her arms and legs, ancient markings older than language. And atop her head, forming from air and ash, appeared a crown of dusklight—jagged and brilliant, as if forged in the heart of a dying star.
Ava opened her eyes.