on pressing heavily upon them, but the battle was far from over. The destruction they'd caused in the strongho

e broken ground. His body writhed in agony, his magic faltering. But eve

just the b

jaw cl

, his voice a low, dangerous

reat-the true power-was behind him, waiting

oison Kael had used on her. The scars of the battle were e

voice sharp and clear despite the exhaus

r, a deep ache in his chest that had

un. I'm do

hook h

he Council won't stop

*

uncil'

Council's citadel, a plan was unfolding-a plan d

a figure cloaked in robes of shifting black and silver, stood on a platform sur

voice like silk. "He's more powerful than we

f his followers asked, her voi

ips curled int

me to finish this. A

feel it, even from miles away. His senses flared, the power that surged throug

e not do

bsidian and glowing with an eerie, unnatural light, emerged from the ground. Its eyes were empty, soulless p

ove a whisper, but the tension was clear in e

*

eaver

rt as it advanced toward them with terrifying speed. Its roar echoed through the la

od Moon. He drew his power into himself, feeling the surge of raw energy. His body pulsed with t

get be

held back now. The battle had already taken too much from her

going a

wiping through the air with the force of a hurricane. Rowan dodged, but not fast enou

is teeth gritted as he f

had kept her alive for so long. She ran toward the Reaver, her speed a blur,

ut the Reaver b

d, pain lacing his voice. "W

ike a shadow, using every ounce of his strength to move quickly. He nee

ng the Reaver long enough for him to climb higher. Her energy crackled,

e yelled, her voice

Reaver roared in fury, but it was too late. Rowan pierced its ch

xploded

, everything

*

l of Th

out the heart of the magic. The Reaver let out one final, horrible

g from his claws. His chest heaved as he caught his breath, eye

reature. She knew this victory wasn't theirs alone. This battle

an," Aria said, her

d, his expr

kno

he Council was preparing its nex

*

ncil's

dows of the citadel, watching the Reaver fall. His

n," he murmured. "The true

n and Aria felt it-a cold, unnatural presence, far

ncil Leader said to his follo

and Aria would have to face even darker forces. But o