SCARLETT
The world split open in a single heartbeat.
Kael’s fire roared up my arm, blistering the stone. Darius’s lightning flashed so bright it burned white behind my eyelids. And Lucien’s shadows coiled tighter, cold as the void, pulling me down.
I didn’t choose.
I couldn’t.
Something older than choice ripped through me instead.
The mark on my chest flared silver fire so intense it seared the night. Pain detonated through my ribs. My scream turned to a howl, raw and primal, shaking the cavern walls.
The shadows shrieked. The fire recoiled. The storm itself faltered.
Bones cracked. Muscles stretched. My vision bled to silver.
I wasn’t falling anymore.
I was becoming.
Kael staggered back, eyes wide. “Moonfire—” His voice broke into awe. “She’s—”
Darius took a single step, ligh
