Daíre hesitated for a moment, then his form shimmered and rippled, shifting from the towering, beastly figure into that of a rugged human man. His features remained sharp and weathered, but the wild, bristly hair faded into short, dark hair, and the tusks retracted into his jaw. He straightened, giving me a steady, knowing look.
“Keep your head up, Seraphina,” he said gruffly but with a hint of softer respect in his voice. “You’re stronger than you think. Just don’t forget, power’s fleeting, but your true strength is in knowing what you’re willing to fight for.”
He nodded once more, then turned on his heel and disappeared down the tunnel, leaving me alone in the darkness once again.
I watched as Daíre’s form shimmered and shifted back into his human shape, then called out desperately,
