The shadow tightened its grip around Viole, her small body suspended in midair. My pulse slammed against my ribs. Fear sliced through me sharper than any blade. Pride, jealousy, and a burning fury surged, coiling into one fierce, uncontrollable energy. I can’t lose her. Not now. Not like this.
Vordon’s hand gripped mine so hard I thought he might crush my bones. His jaw was tight, his eyes dark with fear and disbelief.
“Veronica, what do we do?”
I didn’t answer at first. My mind raced. Every possible move flashed across my vision, every outcome weighted with danger. If I strike, I risk Viole. If I delay, we lose control entirely. The unpredictability of this shadow, this thing that wasn’t entirely Tyrus but wasn’t entirely code, kept my stomach coiled in ice.
“I, I don’t know yet,” I a
