e. The wind howled around them, carrying whispers that weren't entirely human. Avalora's

voice low and sharp. "If you don't, you

ra shouted, shivering despite the heat

ke loyal servants. Each step left a scorch mark on the wet earth, a subtle proof

ad. A hiss, low and guttural, echoe

tal, electric touch that made her breath catch. The mark on her wrist flared in response

t with eyes like molten lava. Its claws scraped the ground, sparks

clawing at her throat

irks. "Your first real lesson. And possib

nd, coiling around the beast. It yelped, struggling, but Rion's power was

he said, glancing at h

t-the energy under her skin, responding to the mark, res

It screamed, recoiling as her magic burned its fur. Her mark f

, approving, though his face

of energy at the creature. It collapsed, writhing, then

lver eyes studied her, dark, intense, unreadable. "D

im, chest heavi

s again, this time intentionally. "It's s

betraying her fear. She hated that she felt drawn to him, hated t

of this," she admitted, vo

ng over his features. "You don't have to understand," he

ck-but her mark flared again, golden fire tracing up her arm. And when she loo

w. Not

thing for certain: the world she had always known was gone. And in its place