The clash of steel and the roar of wolves thundered through the great hall of Blackwater Keep. Ariana’s chest heaved as her light burned across the chamber, slamming into Lucien’s soldiers. The shadows hissed and recoiled, but still they pressed in, endless and merciless.
Beside her, Kael fought like a creature carved from fury and flame. His wolf shone in every movement—razor-fast strikes, bone-shattering blows, his claws dripping with the blood of Lucien’s warriors. Yet even in the frenzy, his eyes never left Ariana. He guarded her flank as though his own life depended on it, snarling at any who dared come near.
But Ariana was no longer a woman in need of protection.
Silver light blazed around her, her Luna’s power erupting in waves that seared through shadow-forged armor. Each strike
