Leah Carter’s Point of View
The world seemed to hold its breath. The ground beneath our feet still trembled, pulsing like the heartbeat of something vast and ancient. The air reeked of scorched earth and ash. Kael stood at the edge of the fissure, his blade drawn, the light from below turning his armor silver and red.
I couldn’t move, my arms were locked around Emma, who clung to me so tightly I could feel her tiny heartbeat racing against my chest. Her eyes still glowed faintly, reflecting the silver fire below.
The fissure widened with a deep, tearing sound. Chunks of blackened earth fell inward, vanishing into a swirling pit of light and shadow. From within that light came a low growl, slow, deliberate, and full of something older than hate.
Kael shouted over the rumbling, “Everyone
