the forest like thunder

ed through her ribs and set the embers in her chest blazing hot. The ground shuddered b

, barely stea

nation, was it?" s

already

" he

ha

ow

sei

clearing exploded inward. Wood splintered. Stone cracked. A massive shape

scr

scle and shadow. Blackened scales armored its shoulders, glowing faintly with veins of crimson li

locked

Ka

e

s surged

looking at me

grimly. "It's cal

hrough the air. Heat washed over them as it

gs refuse

, if you don't run, it will tear t

through t

from his g

nd trembling with every thunderous step of the Veilbound behind the

?" Aria shouted

aulting over a fallen trunk. "Because t

not an

nly one tha

closer now, too close. Aria stumbled, panic cla

hard, the breath kn

n back i

ri

lbound

ct too

bers e

nto the creature's chest with a force that shook the forest. The impact sen

, not in fear

ed her from t

rs. Her vision blurred as the flames spiraled out o

r side, grippin

ted. "You're bu

e cried. "It

ation with savage intensity. Trees ignited. The

undeterred, its body regenera

de a de

me," he

is palm agai

g shock tore thr

d as Kael's power collided with

lapsed,

ames v

the w

le cold settling into her bones whe

ou do?" she

to her feet. H

part of th

stuttered

...

adn't, the fire would have consumed you

ain, furious now, wound

m has a cost," K

east

nd twisted sharply.

shatt

rest v

smooth surface before Kael caught her. She lay there, stunne

le

r

h

o of her rag

re are we?" s

haled s

e said. "

had never felt before. The warmth that had always lived beneath

lared i

d, clutching her chest. "T

et her

kno

ed sharply

ok it f

he corrected. "Th

ad no

s tone. "Aria... the embers are not just power. They are a beacon.

nds tr

she asked. "Am

live. Which is more than m

se made h

she echo

nce was ans

. "How many like m

l graveyards a

it harder t

elf, suddenly cold in a way that

rs has a cost," she said q

hesit

n s

aid. "Not without consequences. Every time you cal

tened. "What ki

er eyes

ime. Pieces

emed to close

the fire..."

thing you may

retched be

a lifted

eal

iffened

espite the fear clawing at her chest. "I won't run f

y," Kael said shar

eplied. "It

red faintly, as

ong moment, really stared,

dea what you'r

. "Before the fire takes e

eadable cross

t understand this, Aria Vale, onc

closer, voi

ing back to the

ire p

osed he

y left he

bound lifted its scorched head and roared,

had only