Evans' POV
The darkness clouded around us, the shifting like that of a viable smoke, and from within it, two gleaming piercing eyes penetrated mine. The Shadow Beast emerged from the clearing, its massive, malformed body writhing as though it was sourced from a real nightmare. A guttural growl erupted through the air, shivering my bones as its claws penetrated the ground, sending sparks through the earth.
Kieran moved in front of me, his sword drawn for an attack. “Just remain still. Don't flinch.”
But I remained motionless. The beast eyes piercing through me, making the air grow still in the running gasp of my lungs. It wasn't just staring at me—it was seeing through me. Something deep inside of me jolted, like an ember suddenly resurrected.
The beast reverberated a low, guttural grow
