I could feel the battle raging within my brother, seventeen years of shadow essence fighting against his true nature. Diamond pushed harder, her determination matching my own as we fought to cleanse what had been tainted.
"Lucious," I called to him, hoping he could hear me through his pain. "Focus on my voice. Remember who you really are. You are light, not darkness. Golden, not shadow."
His golden eyes locked with mine, recognition flickering through the supernatural glow. Through our bond, I felt him struggling to hold on to himself amid the transformation.
"I can feel it," he gasped, his voice distorted by pain. "Both sides are pulling at me. The shadow...it's strong."
"You're stronger," I insisted, pressing my hands more firmly against his chest. "You're a Blackthorne. The goddess'
