The camp remained silent long after the darkness disappeared.
Ronan lay unconscious on the ground, surrounded by silver light.
Aria knelt beside him.
His breathing was shallow, but steady.
“He's alive,” she whispered.
Elias examined the black mark on Ronan's chest.
“Barely.”
Kaelen crouched beside them.
“Can you remove it?”
Elias shook his head.
“Not completely.”
“Then what can we do?”
Elias looked at Aria.
“The mark is connected to Darius.”
Aria's expression hardened.
“Then I'll break the connection.”
“Aria—”
She placed her hand over Ronan's chest.
Silver light flowed from her palm.
Ronan's body jerked.
The black mark resisted.
Aria gritted her teeth.
“Come on…”
The darkness pushed back.
For a moment, she felt Darius's presence.
Cold.
Ancient.
Cruel.
Then his v
