"Run, Aria... before I lose myself again."
My father's voice trembled. Not with fear, but with desperation. His silver aura flickered fiercely and covered the courtyard in blinding light. The crimson glow in his eyes grew brighter.
"No!" I yelled.
I instinctively ran toward him.
"Aria, stop!" Lucien's voice thundered behind me.
I ignored him. I could not lose him. I had only just known him.
When I was a few steps away, my father held out a shaking hand.
"Don't come any closer."
His voice was deeper now. As though another voice was speaking beneath his own.
"I can fight it."
His body trembled. Silver energy shot from his chest, splitting the ground below his feet.
The air around him grew painfully heavy. Soldiers dropped to one knee. Even Vaeros bowed his head.
I stopped. Not
