h jagged black towers, casting long shadows across the stone floors.

hat silver-eyed intensity that made her pulse jump. "You slep

ou mean...fight magic? I don

faintest smirk. "You kn

xtended his hand. "Come. Control the m

med to pulse in anticipation. She hesitated, but his gaze...that magneti

ls were alive with faint whispers, echoes of ancient

g to the center. "Focus on your mark

pread from her mark up her arm, reaching into her chest. She too

tepping close. "Now, fee

d. Shadows inside the chamber twisted and writhed, reacting to her presence. Her

," he said, voice softer now, almo

nd, fists raised.

accidentally or maybe not. Sparks of warmth ran up her arm,

l she felt. Hated the heat rising in h

ows gathered in the corners, forming snarling shapes with gl

grabbing her shoulders. "

ted, recoiling as the power surged outward. Rion stepped beside her, and instincti

ing on hers. "Don't be afraid. Channel the ene

adows exploded into smoke, retreating from the combined force. W

uld feel his warmth. "See?" he murmured. "You are po

deny it, wanted to pull away, but a s

hispered, almost

dark, and commanding. "Wh

g, and impossible to ignore. And Avalora realized

w. Not