Shadows of the heart

untitle

not alone,” she muttered.

He tensed immediately, his gaze snapping to where hers had landed. Three figures emerged from the fog, their eyes glowing faintly in the dark. Rogues.

“They never learn,” Elias muttered, rolling his shoulders as if preparing for a fight.

“They’re not here to learn,” Aria said, her claws flexing at her sides. “They’re here to die.”

The rogues didn't hesitate. They moved as one, rushing forward like a pack of wild animals. Their snarls echoed off the alley walls, sharp and violent.

Aria didn’t wait. Her hand shot up, and with a flick of her wrist, the air itself shifted. A sharp gust of wind barreled down the alley, slamming into the first rogue like a wrecking ball. He hit the wall with a crunch, crumpling to the ground.

The second one lunged for her, faster than she expected. She twisted just in time, his claws swiping past her face. Her foot shot out, catching him behind the knee. He stumbled, and she was on him in an instant, her knee pressing into his back as she yanked his head to the side, claws poised at his throat.

“Move, and you lose your jugular,” she hissed into his ear.

He growled, his breath hot and ragged. “You think you’re stronger than us, hybrid?”

Her claws pressed harder. “No, I know I am.”The third rogue went for Elias. Big mistake.

The shift was instant. One second, Elias was a man; the next, he was a blur of muscle, fur, and fangs. His wolf form was massive — sleek, dark gray fur rippling with power, his golden eyes glowing brighter than ever. His snarl echoed like thunder, his fangs flashing in the dim light.

The rogue didn’t stand a chance.

Elias’s claws raked across the rogue’s chest, and with one powerful shove, he slammed the rogue to the ground. The werewolf pinned him there, fangs inches from the rogue’s throat, a low, rumbling growl vibrating through the air.

The alley fell into silence, broken only by the ragged breaths of the defeated rogues.

Aria released her captive with a hard shove, stepping back to watch as he scrambled away, his eyes wide with fear.

“Go,” she ordered, her voice cold as winter frost. “Tell your pack what happened here. Tell them what’s waiting for them if they come back.”

The rogue didn’t need to be told twice. He bolted, disappearing into the fog with the sound of frantic footsteps.

Elias shifted back to his human form, wiping blood from his hands. His shirt was torn, his skin streaked with dirt, but he looked more alive than ever. He ran a hand through his damp hair, glancing at her with a lopsided grin.

“You handled yourself well, little fox,” he said, his voice thick with approval.

“Don’t call me that,” she shot back, wiping blood from her cheek. “I’m not some pet you can name“No,” he agreed, stepping closer. “You’re not a pet.” His gaze dropped to her lips, his eyes darkening with something more dangerous than admiration. “But you’re still mine.”

Her heart skipped. Not because of his words — she could handle words. It was the way he said it, like it was already a fact. Like she had no choice in it.

Her claws flexed, sharp and ready.

“You’re delusional,” she said, her voice low and steady, but her heart betrayed her with its wild, erratic beat.

“Maybe,” he admitted, his grin slow and deadly. “But I’m never wrong.”

Their gazes locked, fire and storm, silver and gold. The air between them buzzed with magic, tension so thick it felt like the world itself was holding its breath.“You’re impossible,” she muttered, turning away before she did something reckless. “Come on, Alpha. We’ve got bigger enemies than each other.”

Elias’s laughter was soft but genuine, a low rumble in his chest. “If you say so, little fox.”

She didn’t turn around. If she did, she knew he’d see it. The small, treacherous smile tugging at the edge of her lips.

---

Chapter 15: Scent of Ash and Smoke

The world smelled of fire.

Not the sharp, clean burn of fresh flames but the heavy, acrid stench of something old and twisted. Ash floated through the air, settling on rooftops and cars like gray snow.

Aria stood at the edge of the street, staring at the ruins of the old warehouse. The flames had long since died, leaving only blackened rubble and curling smoke. Her eyes narrowed, her jaw tight.

“This wasn’t an accident,” she said quietly.

Elias stepped up beside her, his eyes scanning the wreckage. “No. It was a message.”

Her fingers flexed at her sides. “Then we send one back.”

He glanced at her, his golden eyes sharp with approval. “That’s what I like about you, little fox.”

She turned to him, eyes blazing silver. “I’m not here to be liked, Alpha. I’m here to win.”His grin was slow, dangerous. “Then let’s win.”

The ashes swirled around them, smoke rising into the blood-red sky. There, in the heart of the ruined city, predator and predator stood side by side, ready for war.

---

Chapter 16: Whispers of Vengeance

The world was still, too still. Shadows danced along the alleyways as if they had minds of their own, weaving through the fog like phantoms. The chill in the air bit deeper than usual, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of blood.

Aria stood in the center of it all, her silver eyes scanning every inch of the ruined street. Her heart was steady, her breath controlled, but the hum of magic in her veins was wild and restless. Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching to summon the storm that lived within her.

Elias moved beside her, his steps silent but deliberate. His gaze was fixed ahead, sharp and unyielding like a predator stalking its prey. His jaw was clenched, the golden glow of his eyes barely restrained.

"They’re close," she muttered, eyes narrowing on a crumbling warehouse at the end of the street. Her hybrid senses picked up the faintest trace of movement beyond the shattered windows. "Three... no, four of them."

Elias tilted his head, nostrils flaring as he caught the same scent. "Rogues." His voice was low, dangerous, a promise of violence. "They must be desperate if they’re still hanging around after the message we sent."

Her lips curled into a sharp grin. "Desperation makes people stupid."

"Yeah, but stupid people can still get lucky." His gaze flicked toward her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Don’t get cocky, little fox."

She turned her head slowly, giving him a look that could have cut glass. "Cocky? No, Alpha, I’m just confident." Her eyes flashed silver as she stepped forward. "Try to keep up."

Before he could reply, she shot forward like a blur of silver and shadow. The storm in her veins surged, making her faster, sharper, more dangerous. She reached the warehouse door first, her claws glowing faintly with silver magic as she slashed it clean off its hinges.

The metallic clang echoed through the hollow space beyond, followed by snarls and scurrying footsteps.

"They’re running," she said, her grin sharp with satisfaction. "Cowards."

"Or leading us into a trap," Elias countered, stepping up beside her, his eyes scanning the darkness ahead. "Don’t get sloppy, Aria."

She gave him a side-eye glance, her silver eyes glowing faintly. "I don’t get sloppy, Alpha."

They moved in sync, her magic swirling around her like a shifting breeze, his presence radiating power and authority. Their footfalls were near silent as they entered the warehouse. The air inside was heavy with the tang of iron and rot. Crates and broken machinery lay scattered about, casting jagged shadows in the dim light.

Her senses went on high alert. Every sound, every shift in the air, every flicker of movement caught her attention. Her eyes darted toward the upper walkways, where shadows moved just a little too slowly.

"Above us," she whispered, tilting her head toward the movement.

Elias didn’t hesitate. His form shifted in an instant, bones cracking, muscles stretching as he transformed into his wolf form — all sleek, dark gray fur and piercing gold eyes. The shift was smooth, seamless, and far too fast for a normal werewolf. His wolf let out a low, guttural growl that echoed through the warehouse like thunder.

That’s when the rogues struck.

They came down from above, fast and feral. Two dropped from the catwalk, claws extended, fangs bared. Aria dodged the first with ease, spinning on her heel and catching the second with an open palm strike laced with raw wind magic. The rogue was thrown backward, crashing into a rusted metal shelf with a grunt of pain.

The other rogue charged Elias, foolishly thinking brute force would be enough. Big mistake. Elias met him head-on, his massive wolf form colliding with the rogue like a wrecking ball. Teeth sank into flesh, and a yelp of pain echoed through the space.

"You’re outnumbered!" one of the rogues sneered from the shadows. "You should’ve stayed in your little den, Alpha."

Aria let out a short laugh as she ducked under a wild swing from another rogue. "Outnumbered? You think numbers matter here?" Her grin widened as she whirled around, planting her foot against the rogue’s chest and kicking him straight into a stack of crates. "You’re not fighting a pack, i***t. You’re fighting predators."

The rogue snarled, stumbling to his feet, his eyes wild with fury. He lunged at her, but she was faster. Her claws met his mid-swing, sparks of silver light flashing as she twisted his arm behind his back with a sickening crunch. He howled in pain, struggling against her grip, but she didn’t let up.

"Did you really think you could hide from me?" she hissed into his ear, her voice a cold, deadly whisper. "Did you think I wouldn’t find you?"

"You're nothing but a—" the rogue’s words turned to a strangled gasp as she shoved him face-first into the ground.

"Finish that sentence," she growled, her claws pressing against the back of his neck. "I dare you."

The rogue’s body went still, his breathing shallow but steady. She could feel the tremble in his limbs, the telltale sign of fear sinking in.

Across the room, Elias stood over the last rogue, his golden eyes glowing like molten fire. His teeth were stained with blood, his massive wolf frame looming over the crumpled figure on the floor.

One glance from him, and Aria knew. They’d won.

Her heart was still racing, the adrenaline coursing through her veins like fire. She pulled her claws back, rising to her full height as she turned to face him.

"Four on two," she said, wiping the blood from her hands on her leather pants. "They didn’t even stand a chance."

Elias shifted back, his human form re-emerging from the beast. His breathing was steady, his gaze calm but sharp. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes meeting hers with something close to pride.

"That’s why they’re rogues," he said simply, his voice rough but steady. "No discipline. No plan. Just rage."

She glanced down at the rogue at her feet, eyes narrowing. "They knew we’d be here."

"Yeah," Elias agreed, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. "Which means someone told them."

Her heart slowed, her mind already piecing it together. "There’s a mole in the pack."

"Looks like it." His eyes were cold now, the warmth from moments ago gone. "And whoever it is, they’re going to wish they’d stayed hidden."

Aria exhaled slowly, her breath curling into the cold night air. "If they’re smart, they’ll run."

He stepped closer, his golden eyes locked on hers. "They can run all they want." His gaze was fierce, unyielding. "They’ll never outrun me."

For a moment, they just stood there, breathing in sync, two predators bound by something neither of them wanted to name.

"Come on, little fox," he said, his voice softer now but no less commanding. "We’ve got a hunt ahead of us."

Her lips curled into a grin as she stepped forward, her silver eyes gleaming like twin moons in the dark. "Then let’s hunt."

---

Chapter 17: Lies Beneath the Mask

The pack house was eerily quiet when they returned. Usually, there was noise — chatter, footsteps, the hum of life. But tonight, silence clung to the air like fog. It wasn’t peace. It was tension.

Aria stepped inside, her gaze sweeping the room. Her senses were sharp, alert. She felt eyes on her — too many eyes. Whispers followed her like shadows.

Elias walked in behind her, his presence as heavy as a stormcloud. The weight of the Alpha was undeniable, and it fell over the room like a crashing wave.

"Everyone’s too quiet," Aria muttered under her breath, eyes locked on the gathered pack members. "They know."

"Good," Elias said, his voice like thunder. "Fear makes them sloppy."

He stepped forward, eyes sharp as blades. "One of you is a traitor," he said, his voice carrying through the room like a commandment. "And I will find you."

The weight of his words pressed down on them all.

"Run if you want," Aria added, her voice as cold as winter frost. "It'll only make the hunt more fun."

Her silver eyes scanned the crowd, sharp and unyielding. "Who wants to run first?"

Here’s a written version of Chapters 12

---

Chapter 12: The Hunter’s Moon

The forest was cloaked in fog, the pale glow of the Hunter’s Moon barely piercing through the thick mist. Every breath Aria took felt heavy with the damp chill of the night air. Leaves rustled softly, but there was no wind. It wasn’t the trees moving — it was something else.

Her fingers twitched at her sides, claws threatening to emerge. She crouched low behind a wide oak, her silver eyes scanning the dense undergrowth. The steady thrum of magic coursed beneath her skin, ready to be unleashed.

"Three ahead," she whispered, her breath barely a wisp of air. "North ridge. They’re spreading out."

A deep, familiar voice sounded behind her. "Four," Elias corrected, his tone sharp and calm. "One’s circling around from the east. Clumsy steps. He thinks he’s being smart."

Her lips curled into a grin. "Want me to teach him a lesson?"

"Don’t get cocky, little fox," Elias replied, stepping up beside her. His golden eyes flickered with the glow of his inner wolf. "You know how rogues are. Desperate dogs bite the hardest."

"Desperate dogs also run the fastest when they realize they’re outmatched." She flexed her fingers, her claws fully extending now. "Let me prove it."

"Don’t hold back," Elias said, his grin sharp. "Make it quick."

That was all the permission she needed. Aria moved like a shadow, silent and swift, her hybrid instincts turning her into a blur of motion. She weaved through the trees, her silver eyes locking onto her target — a rogue crouched low behind a bush, eyes darting to the east where Elias was positioned. His mistake was looking the wrong way.

She launched herself at him, feet silent on the damp ground. He didn’t see her until it was too late. Her knee slammed into his back, driving him forward. He tumbled into the dirt with a grunt. Aria landed on top of him, her clawed hand pressed firmly against his throat.

"Move, and you’ll bleed," she hissed, her silver eyes glowing with raw power.

The rogue snarled, fangs bared, his muscles tensing as if he planned to throw her off. Aria’s grip tightened. Her claws pierced the skin just enough to draw blood.

"I said, don’t move." Her voice was like cold steel. "I can make this quick, or I can make it painful. Your choice."

The rogue stilled, his wild yellow eyes flicking to the side as if looking for help. But there was none. Not tonight.

"Smart boy," she muttered before pressing her palm to his chest. Magic surged through her, and a sharp gust of wind blasted him back into a nearby tree. His head hit the bark with a thud, and he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.

"One down," she said, rising to her feet, rain dripping from her hair.

Elias’s voice echoed in her ear. "Two behind you, fast."

Her eyes flicked up, catching two shadows moving in from the west. Her heart surged with adrenaline, and her claws extended fully. She turned, crouching low as her magic swirled in the air around her, wild and untamed. "Come on, then," she snarled, her smile wicked. "I’m just getting started."

---

Chapter 18: The Mask Shatters

The pack house was deathly silent. The only sound was the faint creak of wood as wolves shifted uncomfortably in their spots, eyes flicking nervously around the room. The tension was so thick it felt like the air itself was waiting to snap.

At the center of it all stood Elias, his broad frame rigid with authority. Golden eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, sweeping across the faces of his pack. His power was palpable, an unspoken threat hanging in the air like the calm before a storm.

"One of you betrayed us," Elias growled, his voice low and sharp as a blade. "The rogues knew too much. They knew where we'd be, how many of us there were, and exactly how to strike. That wasn't luck. That was information."

A low murmur rippled through the pack, eyes darting toward one another. No one spoke, but suspicion was already taking root.

"I won't repeat myself," Elias said, his voice like thunder cracking through the room. "Who. Sold. Us. Out?"

Silence. No one moved.

From the back of the room, Aria leaned against the wall, arms folded, her silver eyes scanning the crowd. Her gaze wasn’t frantic like the others. It was calculated. Watching. Waiting. She’d seen this kind of fear before — the kind that made guilty men sweat.

Her eyes landed on Kane. He was stiff, too stiff, his fingers tapping a rapid rhythm against his thigh. His gaze darted toward the door, just for a second. A second too long.

"Kane," she called out, her voice cutting through the room like a whip.

The tapping stopped. His head snapped toward her, eyes wide with surprise. "W-what?" he stammered, his voice too quick, too defensive. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Elias turned, his golden eyes narrowing like a predator locking onto prey. "She asked you a question, Kane," he said, his voice dangerously soft. "Why do you look like you’re about to run?"

"I’m not running!" Kane’s voice cracked, and he took a step back. "I didn’t do anything, Alpha. I swear!"

Aria pushed off the wall, her steps slow, deliberate, like a hunter stalking prey. "Your heart’s racing, Kane," she said, her voice cool as frost. "Your breathing’s shallow, and you keep glancing at the door like it’s your way out." She tilted her head, her silver eyes narrowing. "Why would an innocent man act like that?"

Kane's eyes darted between them, panic clear on his face. "I— I— I’m just nervous, that’s all! You’re all looking at me like I’m a criminal!"

"Because you are," Elias said, his eyes glowing brighter. "Last chance, Kane. Speak the truth, or I’ll take it from you."

"No! I didn’t mean to!" Kane burst out, his voice cracking with desperation. "They threatened me, Alpha! They said they’d kill me if I didn’t give them something! I didn’t have a choice!"Elias moved so fast it was a blur. One second, he was standing still. The next, his hand was around Kane’s throat, slamming him into the wall with a force that rattled the entire pack house. Kane gasped, clawing at Elias's wrist, his feet dangling inches off the ground.

"You had a choice," Elias snarled, his fangs bared, eyes glowing with the intensity of a full shift. "And you chose to betray your pack."

"I’m sorry!" Kane choked, his legs kicking uselessly. "Please, Alpha, I’m sorry! I’ll leave! I’ll disappear! You’ll never see me again!"

"No," Elias said, his voice colder than death. "You won't."There was a sharp crack as Elias twisted Kane’s neck in one swift, brutal motion. His body went limp, his head hanging at an unnatural angle. Elias let him fall to the ground like discarded trash, his gaze already moving to the rest of the pack.

"Anyone else feel like betraying me?" His gaze swept the room like a storm cloud, heavy and suffocating. No one spoke. No one dared to breathe.

"Good," Elias muttered, stepping over Kane’s body as if it were nothing more than a fallen branch. "Clean this up."

---

Chapter 19: Threads of Deception

The rain came down hard that night, a relentless downpour that made the city streets slick with water. Neon lights reflected off puddles, casting flashes of red, blue, and green onto the ground. The air smelled of wet concrete and something darker — something that clung to the night like an old curse.

Aria pulled her hood tighter over her head, her silver eyes glowing faintly beneath the shadow of the fabric. Beside her, Elias walked in silence, his golden gaze fixed on the road ahead. His presence was steady, powerful, and far too quiet for her liking.

"You’ve been brooding since we left," she said, glancing at him. "You don’t usually brood, Alpha."

"I'm not brooding," he muttered, his hands in his pockets, shoulders tense.

"Mmm," she hummed, unconvinced. "Is that why you’ve been glaring at the ground for the past twenty minutes like it owes you an apology?"

He shot her a sharp look but said nothing.

"It’s Kane, isn’t it?" she pressed, tilting her head toward him. "You think there’s more to it."

His jaw tightened. "There is."

Her steps slowed, her eyes narrowing. "You think someone else in the pack is working with the rogues.""I don’t think," Elias corrected, his golden eyes glowing in the rain-soaked night. "I know."

Her stomach twisted. Betrayal from one packmate was bad enough, but two? "Got any suspects?"

He didn’t answer right away. They turned down an alley, the glow of the streetlights dimming behind them. His silence wasn’t like him, and it made her instincts scream.

"Elias," she said, her voice sharp as a blade. "Talk to me."

"Not here," he muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows. "We’re being watched."Her eyes darted around them, her breath slow and steady as her magic coiled beneath her skin, ready to strike. Her fingers curled into fists, claws itching to break free. She saw it then — a flicker of movement at the end of the alley.

A figure stepped out of the shadows, the hood of their cloak pulled low, water dripping from its edges. The figure moved slowly, deliberately, like they had all the time in the world.

Aria’s eyes narrowed. Her senses sharpened. Something about that walk was familiar.

The figure reached up, pulling back their hood.

Her heart stopped.

"No," she breathed, her voice barely audible. "You?"

A smile spread across the figure's face, sharp and cold like a blade drawn slowly from its sheath.

"Hello, Aria," the figure said, their voice smooth as silk but laced with venom. "Miss me?"

Her heart lurched, rage and disbelief surging through her veins like wildfire. "You," she growled, her claws sliding out, sharp as razors. "You’re working with them?"

"Working with them?" The figure laughed, a hollow, bitter sound. "I’m leading them, darling."

The rain intensified, pounding against the concrete, thunder rumbling in the distance. Her breath came in short, sharp bursts, her chest heaving with the force of her fury. Her eyes glowed silver, the wind around her whipping into a frenzy."You’ll regret this," she snarled, stepping forward, her body a coil of raw energy. "I promise you that."

The figure didn’t back away. If anything, they stepped forward too, their grin widening like they were walking into a game they’d already won.

"I’m counting on it," they said, their eyes flashing red in the dark.

Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating both of their faces for a heartbeat.

Then the storm broke loose.

Chapter 20: Storm of Betrayal

The clash of thunder echoed through the narrow alley, a deafening roar that masked the first strike. Aria’s claws met steel, sparks flying as her opponent drew twin daggers from the folds of their cloak. The sharp clang of metal against claw reverberated through the rain-soaked night.

"You always were too stubborn to stay down," the figure hissed, their grin sharp and wild. "But this time, I’ll make sure you break."

Aria bared her fangs, her silver eyes blazing with fury. "You’ll have to do better than cheap threats." She shoved forward with a burst of raw strength, knocking the figure back a step. "I’m not that easy to break."

The figure spun with cat-like grace, sliding back into a ready stance, daggers raised. They moved with precision, like a predator in its prime, eyes locked on her every move. "That’s what makes it fun."

Lightning lit up the sky, casting eerie shadows across the alley. Elias’s growl rumbled low in his chest, his eyes fixed on the traitor. His golden gaze was molten fury, his muscles coiled with the restraint of a beast barely holding back.

"You’ve made a mistake showing your face here," Elias said, his voice carrying the weight of an alpha’s authority. His eyes never left the figure. "Last chance to walk away. After this, I won’t stop until you’re ash."The figure laughed, a harsh, hollow sound that echoed in the storm. "Walk away?" They spread their arms wide, raindrops sliding off their cloak like beads of glass. "I didn't come here to walk away, Alpha. I came to burn it all down."

Aria's eyes flicked to Elias. She saw it — the moment his patience snapped. His body shifted instantly, his wolf bursting to the surface with brutal speed. Claws out. Fangs bared. A whirlwind of rage and power.

"Elias, wait—!" Aria started, but it was too late.

The alley exploded with movement.

Elias charged, his claws swiping through the air with deadly precision. The figure ducked, dodging just in time, spinning low to the ground before slashing upward with their daggers. Elias twisted midair, his claws catching one dagger and knocking it from their hand.

But the second dagger struck true.

A flash of red. A sharp gasp.

The blade buried itself into Elias’s side, just beneath his ribs. He hissed in pain, his golden eyes flaring with rage. “Big mistake,” he growled, his breath ragged but steady.

Aria didn’t wait. Her body moved on instinct, wind magic swirling around her like a storm given form. She blurred forward, faster than sight, her claws aimed for the figure's exposed side. They saw her too late.Her claws raked across their arm, tearing through cloth and flesh. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc, mixing with the rain. The figure staggered back, eyes flashing with fury, their hand clutching the bleeding gash on their arm.

"You little—!" they snarled, but Aria didn’t give them time to finish.

She was on them in a heartbeat. Their daggers clashed with her claws, sparks flying with every hit. Every strike was faster, fiercer, her heart pounding in rhythm with the storm. She didn’t care about finesse now. She wanted them down. She wanted them gone.

But they were fast. Too fast. Each of her strikes met a block, a dodge, a counter. She hissed in frustration, her breath fogging in the cold rain."You should have stayed in the shadows where you belong," Aria growled, her silver eyes locked on theirs. "Because out here, you’re prey."

"Prey?" they sneered, baring their teeth. "I’m no prey, fox. I’m the hunter."

Their hand shot forward, faster than she expected. Aria saw the flash of steel too late. The cold bite of the dagger nicked her arm, drawing a thin line of blood. Her eyes narrowed as she stepped back, breathing hard.

“Cute trick,” she said, flexing her fingers as silver light shimmered over her skin, the wound already healing. “But you forgot one thing.”She raised her hand, fingers curling into a fist. The air around them shifted, the rain suddenly swirling in a cyclone of wind and water. Her opponent’s eyes widened as they were pulled into the vortex, their feet barely touching the ground.

“This is my storm,” Aria hissed, her silver eyes burning like twin moons.

With a flick of her fingers, the cyclone burst, slamming them against the alley wall with a sickening crack. Their body hit the ground hard, coughing and gasping for air. The fight in them flickered, their breath shallow as they tried to rise.

Elias walked over slowly, his steps heavy and deliberate. Blood dripped from the wound on his side, but his eyes never wavered from the figure lying on the ground."No more running," he said, crouching beside them. "No more hiding. You're going to tell me everything, or you'll wish I'd killed you tonight."

The figure coughed, blood on their lips, but they still managed a grin. "You think you've won, Alpha?" they rasped, their eyes hazy but defiant. "You’re already too late."

"Late for what?" Aria demanded, stepping forward, her claws ready to strike.

The figure’s grin widened, red-stained teeth bared in a mockery of victory. "For the reckoning."

Their body stiffened. Their eyes rolled back."No!" Aria shouted