Zara’s POV
Pain had texture.
I knew that now.
Not sharp.
Not dull.
This was invasive—like cold ink forced through veins, spreading through the silver-gold thread between Greyson and me. The bond that had felt warm and alive moments ago now throbbed with black fractures.
I hit my knees.
Greyson dropped beside me with one hand braced on stone, the other clawing at his chest as if he could rip the corruption out by force.
My own breath came in ragged bursts.
Morvena stood over us, Void Steel dripping shadows.
“One blade can sever,” she said softly.
She tilted her head.
“Or corrupt.”
I hated eloquent villains.
Around us, battle noise blurred beneath the roar in my ears. Wolves shouted. Steel clashed. Someone screamed. The Warden roared from the broken tower.
All of it felt far a
