Aria's heart lurched against her ribs.
The stranger stepped fully into the moonlight, his silver cloak flowing behind him as though the wind itself obeyed his command. His crimson eyes glowed with an unnatural brilliance, fixed on her with an intensity that made her blood run cold.
The six giant black wolves surrounding Aria lowered their heads and released deep, threatening growls.
Their muscles tensed.
They were ready to fight.
The stranger stopped several feet away and studied them with an amused smile.
"So," he said calmly, "the Shadow Guardians still remember their duty."
His voice was smooth and confident, carrying the quiet authority of someone who had never been challenged.
One of the wolves stepped forward, baring its sharp fangs.
The man chuckled.
"I didn't come to figh
