Serena’s POV
The forest was eerily quiet after the battle, the stillness a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded moments ago. My hands were still trembling, the remnants of energy flickering faintly beneath my skin. I couldn’t stop staring at them, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
“I didn’t mean to…” I began, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You did what you had to,” Kael said firmly, his voice steady as he crouched beside the fallen rogue closest to us. He examined the body, his expression grim.
“Kael,” I said, my voice faltering, “what if I can’t control it? What if next time I—”
He stood and turned to me, his stormy gray eyes locking onto mine. “You can control it, Serena. You already did.”
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that this power wasn’t
