y puddles, cold seeping through her cloak, but she didn't stop. Kael's small hand was slick in hers, his silver eyes darting to the shadows, wide with fear. Lira clung to her other hand

creech, its red eyes burning. She'd left him bleeding in the alley, his cla

g through the storm's roar. His silver eyes, so like Lu

,had shown him Lucien's bloodied hands when he'd

Kae

voice shaky, pul

rong. He'

orld. But that creature...half-flesh, half-smoke, its obsidian claws glinting,wasn't natural. It hunted them,

s blee

low, his small face

His side, all re

cracked, guilt

e said, kneeling despite

brushing his wet hair, and she fought tears. Kael's visions were a curse

es wide, her small hand gripping Amara's cloak.

mach knotted. Lira's dreams had warned of a "bad t

ody warm against her chest, and kissed her forehead, careful not to linger. Lira's gift,erasing

o brave,

under a flickering neon sign...Blud

wirling around him. Amara's skin prickled. Soren's gift,summoning spirits

canning the street. Neon signs flickered,Shadow's En

maze of danger. Her Celestian instincts hummed, guiding her to a

aid, his voice eerie, h

inted at Lira, and Amara's blood ran cold. Li

walls were scrawled with witch runes, glowing faintly, warning of predators. Her glow sti

nd tightening on Kael's, Lira

. I saw you with him. You were happy, then sad." Amara flinched, her throat tightening. Kael's visions had s

cated." She couldn't explain Lucien,the Alpha who ruled with fear, whose wolf claimed them, whose gaze had burned h

ious. She nestled closer, her curls tickling Amara's chin, and Amara's

safe," Amara said,

wants things I c

destruction they were meant to bring. Not when Lira's dreams

rp, his silver eyes narrowing. "He's angry

ed Lucien's silver eyes, his rare smiles, the way he'd fought for them in the alley. She'd loved him onc

the triplets inside. The air smelled of damp wood and oil, the floor littered with broken crates. Moonlight spilled through a shatte

the real surrogate, her Celestian blood wild under a full moon, and taken her place. The Oracle's magic had bound her to Lucien, to the triplet

aid, her voice trembling, her green

ightened, pictur

" she said, her voice soft. "Like Kael, but... fiercer

ked, his gray eyes piercing, his voice eeri

ng together. Lucien's scent,pine and blood,li

." She brushed Soren's pale hair, her fingers lingering, an

his voice low, his silver eyes hard. "He's

ghter. "I promise, Kael. You're mine." Her tears fell, hot against h

cled the warehouse, heavy, unnatural. "Amara," a voice hissed, cold and ancient, like the Oracle its

stood, her hands glowing. "Stay away from them!" she shouted, her voice steady despite the fear. The door splintered, red eyes glowing,

said, and the creature