The creature opened its eyes.
Gold.
Brilliant gold.
The same color that flashed through Liam’s eyes.
The same color as the mark on his wrist.
The same color as the energy inside the bond.
Denise’s heart stopped.
For one terrible moment—
the creature smiled.
Not like an animal.
Not like a monster.
Like something intelligent.
Something that recognized her.
The dust continued to settle.
Gasps spread through the clearing.
The thing was enormous.
At least thirty feet tall.
Covered in black-and-gold scales that shimmered beneath the silver moon.
Ancient symbols glowed across its body.
The symbols matched the ones Denise had seen on the Gate.
The ones from her dreams.
The ones she somehow understood without ever learning.
The creature lowered its massive head.
Its golden ey
