The full moon hung like a blood-red eye in the night sky, bathing the sanctuary courtyard in an ominous crimson glow. Sofia’s vision blurred at the edges as she fought to stay conscious on her knees. The silver poison from the earlier graze still burned through her veins, but it was nothing compared to the terror clawing at her heart.
Valeria broke free from the weakening golden chains with a savage roar. Her red hair whipped wildly as she raised the silver dagger, eyes locked on Julian’s exposed back while he battled three Silverfang warriors.
“Julian!” Sofia screamed, her voice raw.
Time seemed to fracture.
She reached deep inside herself — deeper than she had ever gone before. The Star-Blessed power that had been awakening since the rejection exploded outward in a torrent of golden
