Draven materialized between Elaria and Marek like smoke given form. His eyes blazed amber-gold, and darkness poured from him in waves. The temperature dropped twenty degrees in an instant.
"You dare," Draven's voice was barely human, "touch what is mine?"
Marek stumbled backward, his face going white. "The shadow prince—how—"
"Did you really think I'd leave her unprotected?" Draven's shadows lashed out, wrapping around Marek's sword arm and squeezing. The blade clattered to the ground. "Did you think I wouldn't know about your pathetic conspiracy?"
"Guards!" Marek screamed. "Guards, to me!"
The three guards who had been stationed nearby came running. But they stopped short when they saw Draven, their faces pale with fear.
"Seize him!" Marek ordered. "He's attacking me!"
The guards l
