“Ash,” Felix says. “Come to me.”
He reaches his hand out, beckoning. His hazel eyes are shadowy and distant; the wan moonlight gleams on his dark hair, strands of silver starlight streaked through blackest night.
I stand frozen in place. I can’t tear my eyes from the incandescent serpent twisting through the air behind him, slow and rhythmic as the ocean currents.
“What is this?” I manage to choke out, fighting the urge to turn around and sprint in the opposite direction.
Now’s not the time to run away. I have to be brave.
“Ash, I– ” Felix begins, taking a step towards me.
“No!” I yell sharply, bringing him to a sudden halt. “Don’t come near me.”
Felix’s expression is veiled, inscrutable.
Without warning the giant serpent freezes in the air behind him, coiling in on itself. It seem
