Izo raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. “Do clarify.”
“The illness in my territory. The women who fell sick.” I took a step forward, my fists clenched. “That was your doing, wasn’t it?”
His mouth twisted into a sneer. “Ah, you mean the mysterious ailment? A tragic little inconvenience, wasn’t it?”
“Answer me!” I roared, my shadows flaring around me, weaker now than ever.
He chuckled but didn’t confirm or deny it outright. “Let’s just say I hate that you found a cure. It would’ve been so satisfying to see you crumble.”
“You son of a bitch!”
He stepped closer to Vivian and pulled her to his side. She moved willingly—or maybe unwillingly, I couldn’t tell anymore—and stood beside him, her expression unreadable.
“I’ll just have to find another way to make you suffer,” Izo continued, stroking Vivian’s arm. “Oh, wait. I already found a much better option. And here she is.”
Her terror and confusion surged through the bond, along with something else I couldn’t quite place. My knees buckled as the realization of what he’d done to her sank in.
“Izo,” I growled, my voice shaking with barely contained fury. “Let her go.”
“Now, why would I do that? Your family, your legacy, your lies took so much from me. My father died because ofyourfather. Without warning, without diplomacy. Just ruthless murder.”
“I’m nothing like my fucking father,” I roared, the force of my words reverberating through the room.
“No?” Izo’s silver eyes gleamed with malice. “Are you sure about that? Because I see the same cruelty, the same arrogance, in every move you make.”
I launched myself at him, my fists swinging with every ounce of strength I had left. The bond with Vivian pulsed painfully as Izo deflected my attacks, his water constructs wrapping around my arms and legs, dragging me back to the ground.
Around us, chaos erupted.
Luca’s shadows lashed out at the guards, popping his bubble and then everyone else’s. Vincenzo barreled into the fray, his brute strength overpowering anyone in his path. Camilla shifted into her cougar form, her sharp claws tearing through enchanted armor with ease. Dorian danced between opponents, his blades moving like extensions of his arms.
But it wasn’t enough.
Izo was rallying his forces. Streams turned into spears, waves crashed against us, and the guards moved with perfect synchronization.
This was his domain, and we were barely surviving.
I struggled against the water binding me, my chest heaving as I fought for every breath. I looked to Vivian, her face a mask of conflict, and it nearly broke me.
“Vivian,” I called out hoarsely. “It’s me. You know me. Fight this.”
Her gaze wavered, but Izo’s hand tightened on her arm, and she didn’t move.
“I’ll make sure you regret this,” I said, my eyes locking onto Izo’s. “Every. Last. Second.”
He laughed, a cruel, grating sound. “You’re in my world now, Shadow. Let’s see how far your threats take you.”
The room felt colder, darker, as the reality of our situation set in. We didn’t stand a chance here. This had been a fucking death wish.
But if my reality was a world without Vivian, I didn’t give a fuck. This would end, one way or another.
The chaos around us ground to an abrupt halt as Izo’s voice cut through the clamor like a blade.
“Vivian,” he said smoothly, his tone almost lazy, as if this were all some leisurely game to him. “Come here. Be my shield.”
Her steps echoed in the sudden stillness. The room seemed to hold its breath as Vivian moved toward him.
“Vivian, no!”
