The world around Liam whirled in a maddening dance of light and darkness, an explosive collision of power that shuddered the very bedrock of the chamber. Ava's luminous energy pulsed from her, pushing back the dark advance, and lighting the cavernous space in a blaze of brilliant white. The darkness writhed and howled, desperate to consume the light but incapable of piercing it.
Ava!" Liam yelled, though his voice was barely audible over the din. He struggled against the shadows grasping at him, each tendril tugging him further down into the abyss. "You have to be careful!
Ava's face was a picture of concentration as she harnessed every ounce of her power, the orb in her hand pulsating at the rhythm of her heartbeat. "I can do this, Liam!" she called back voice firm though there was a sl
