POV: Alex
The air changed before the alarms sounded.
I felt it first—deep in my chest, like a sudden pressure crushing inward. The silver mark beneath my collarbone burned, a sharp, searing heat that stole the breath from my lungs.
I staggered.
“Alex?” Riley’s voice snapped with fear. “What’s wrong?”
I barely had time to answer.
The sky screamed.
AHHHH
Thunder tore across the heavens as the clouds twisted into a violent spiral above the kingdom. The moon vanished behind churning black mass, and the wind exploded through the palace grounds with enough force to rip banners from their poles.
Then the alarms began to ring.
Low. Massive. Relentless.
“Intrusion at the eastern barrier!” a sentry howled from the tower.
My heart slammed into my ribs.
“He’s here,” I whispered.
Riley’s
