The night was so still Aria could hear her own heartbeat. The ruins seemed to hold their breath as she stood at the edge of the clearing, her hands clenched so tightly her nails cut into her palms.
“Kneel.”
The word echoed like a spell, thick with command. The shadow’s golden eyes glowed, daring her to refuse.
Her wolf snarled inside her, refusing to submit — but the bond between her and Killian throbbed with pain, pulling her attention back to him. He was chained to the altar, blood dripping down his chest in dark rivulets, his breathing shallow but steady.
She couldn’t let them kill him.
Slowly, she sank to one knee, her jaw locked, her gaze never leaving the shadow’s face. Her wolf growled, furious, but stayed silent — waiting.
The shadow’s smile was razor-sharp. “Good. You are le
