AFTERMATH
The fortress walls still trembled from the battle. Smoke lingered in the corridors, the sharp scent of magic and blood thick in the air. The bodies of the fallen littered the ground, and the echoes of distant shouts rang through the stronghold.
Selina’s heart pounded as she leaned against the cold stone, trying to steady her breathing. Roman had been right there. Right there. And they had failed.
Zane stood a few feet away, his posture rigid, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white. His entire body radiated frustration. The weight of their failure hung over them like a storm cloud.
Victor dusted off his coat, wincing. He had taken a nasty hit in the fight, and it showed in the stiffness of his movements. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but that was no
