The creature rose from beneath the fortress.
Stone collapsed around it as its enormous body emerged from the earth.
Aria couldn't move.
She recognized those eyes.
Not because she had seen them before.
Because they looked like hers.
Silver.
Ancient.
And filled with something that felt disturbingly familiar.
Kaelen stepped in front of her.
“Stay behind me.”
The creature laughed.
“The Nightshade heir still protects what he cannot understand.”
Kaelen's claws extended.
“You won't touch her.”
The creature looked at him.
“You sound like your ancestor.”
Kaelen froze.
“My ancestor?”
The creature's eyes shifted toward Aria.
“He said the same thing.”
Aria stepped around Kaelen.
“You knew my father.”
The creature lowered itself until its face was closer to hers.
“I knew Azael b
