"Don't look up," Torric murmurs, his hand firm on my waist as he guides me through another turn. "Just keep dancing."
"What's happening?" I try to glance at the constellations again, but he smoothly blocks my view.
"Nothing good. But we've got it handled."
"We?"
His rune flares briefly. "I told you, I’m not the only one who's been paying attention."
Before I can demand clarification, the temperature around us drops sharply. My shadows coil tighter, and I swear I can feel them trembling.
Across the room, Thorne raises his hand in what looks like a casual gesture. But I recognize the pattern his fingers trace in the air—it's the same one he taught me for binding shadows.
Except this is bigger. Much bigger.
The falling starlight begins to spiral, forming intricate patterns that remind me of—
"Interesting, isn't it?"
I jump at Darian's voice. He's suddenly beside us, smile pleasant but eyes sharp.
"The way magic responds to emotion. To power." He holds out his hand. "One more dance?"
My shadows practically hiss, pressing against Torric's legs like they're seeking shelter.
"She's good here," Torric growls, his rune pulsing brighter.
Darian's smile doesn't waver. "I wasn't actually asking."
Chapter 40
Malrik
The moment Darian approaches them, I feel the shift in magical current. He's trying something. Something that makes my blood run cold.
"Finn," I snap.
"On it."
He moves through the crowd like quicksilver, and I follow in his wake. Aspen appears on my left, water rune gleaming.
We're not going to make it in time.
Darian raises his hand, silver light gathering at his fingertips, and I see the exact moment Kaia realizes what's happening. Her eyes go wide, violet darkening to storm-cloud gray.
But before anyone can move, before Darian can complete whatever spell he's attempting, something unexpected happens.
Mouse appears at Kaia’s feet and grows. Not just bigger, but massive. The size of a real panther, with eyes that burn like violet flames.
The magical display sputters. Darian stumbles back, his perfect composure cracking.
And then the lights go out.
Kaia
In the sudden darkness, I feel my shadows surge. Not with fear or anger, but with... purpose.
They curl around me like armor, responding to something in the air. To the way my necklace seems to sing against my skin.
