The forest groaned like a living creature as the Trial of Shadows pushed deeper into its cruel heart.
Rayne had survived the first beast. That should’ve been the worst of it.
But the forest had other plans.
She and Lucian had been navigating through twisting paths and silent traps for what felt like hours. The forest floor shifted subtly beneath their feet, as if the earth itself didn’t want them there. The shadows whispered—not voices, but memories. And illusions.
Rayne could feel herself slipping. Her ribs were cracked from the earlier fight. Her legs ached. Her hands had blistered from gripping her blade too tightly. The blood drying on her arms wasn’t all the beast’s.
She hadn’t told Lucian how badly she was hurt.
She didn’t want him to see her weak. Not now. Not ever.
Not when
