Kael’s POV
The roar faded into silence so sharp it ached.
Ash drifted in the mist like dying stars, the Hollow pulsing with slow, uneven light. The surge had passed, but the air still thrummed, like a wound trying to remember how to close. Around him, the wolves breathed hard, hands braced on knees, eyes wide. The clash of gold, silver, and shadow had left its mark, black veins crawling through the stone paths, glowing faintly with the Deep’s residue.
Kael straightened, his heartbeat echoing too loud in his ears. The Hollow had responded to them, no question, but it hadn’t submitted. It had tested.
And something in that test had seen him.
Aria was already moving among the wounded, silver light slipping from her palms like moonfire. Wherever it touched, it soothed the burns and tremors
