Moonlight flashed through the clearing.
Selene’s silver blade collided with the black staff of the Veil Order’s leader, sending a shockwave across the riverbank. Trees bent under the force of the magic.
Evelyn stumbled backward, shielding her face from the burst of silver and black light.
The hooded figures spread out, slowly circling them.
“There are too many,” Evelyn whispered.
Selene never looked away from the enemy.
“There always are.”
⸻
The leader of the Veil Order lowered the black staff, the hood still hiding their face.
“You’ve grown careless, Selene.”
“I’ve grown tired,” Selene replied.
“Tired of running.”
A cold laugh echoed through the clearing.
“You should have stayed dead.”
Selene’s grip tightened on her blade.
“I was never dead.”
⸻
Without warning, three cloa
