SCARLETT
The chamber reeked of blood, ash, and burnt stone. Wolves lay scattered as mist, their forms torn apart by fire, storm, and… me.
Kael stood rigid, his chest heaving, his flames flickering dangerously. His golden eyes burned into me, not with desire this time, but with something colder. Something sharper.
“You…” His voice cracked, low and guttural. “You used his power.”
I swallowed hard, shadows still coiling lazily around my fingertips like smoke. My body trembled, half in fear, half in exhilaration. “I didn’t mean to,” I whispered, though the lie stung my tongue. “It just happened.”
“Don’t,” Kael snapped, flames spitting from his skin. “Don’t lie to me. I saw your face when you struck that wolf. You liked it.”
Darius staggered forward, clutching his torn arm, storm-light s
