Sera ran.
Not toward Ironcrest. Away from it. Into the mountains, the deep forests, the places where even wolves feared to go.
She could feel Magnus behind her.
Not physically — not yet. But through the blood. Through the connection that existed between all Shadow Fang descendants. He was tracking her. Hunting her. Using the same bond that connected her to Lumi, to Dax, to everything.
She ran for three hours.
Then she stopped.
Found a clearing. High ground. Good visibility.
And waited.
He came at midnight.
Not with an army. Alone. A single figure in black, walking through the trees like he owned them.
"Sera." Magnus's voice was soft. Almost fond. "You led me on quite a chase."
"I wanted privacy."
"For what?"
"For this."
She released her power.
Full strength. No holding back.
