raging inside me. My side throbbed with every heartbeat, but the wound barely registered beside the raw surge of bloodlust

ce tawny and russet-was streaked with silver light that writhed across each sinew like living magic. They advanced in perfect

the ritual circle in the cobblestone still smoldered, runes humming with a power I barely unders

y of ichor that hissed on the wet stone. My stomach convulsed at the stench of wolf sweat and magic, but I spared no thought for revulsion. I

ite-hot-and I tasted blood. My vision narrowed to the beast's glowing eyes as it barreled me into the metal wall, crushing breath fr

in the darkness. Lucian's voice cut through

ist. The creature collapsed in a spray of crimson foam. Lucian's coat whipped around him

llen companion's claw-my improvised weapon. Lucian met my gaze for a heartbeat, concern flickeri

my makeshift blade. The wolf howled agony and rage, staggering backward. Lucian seized the moment, driv

th exhaustion, vision swimming. Lucian's footsteps crunched behind me as he knelt, braci

t?" he asked

ive." My fingers flexed around the claw-slick and d

with him. "We finish

promise: a doorway to another realm, tearing the fabric of our city. I felt its pull in the marrow of my bones-

t the far end of the alley-tall, slender, ornate coat tails dripping wet. Ash Dr

ate, united at last." He stepped forward, hands raised as if conducting the st

gaze locked on me, raw worry under his fury. "Stay back,

nk to stop me?" He raised a slender wand tipped with cr

I pressed my back against the pillar, muscles coiling. My side throbbed, trickles of warmth blossoming beneath

dow. Lucian charged anyway, blade drawn. I met his gaze-yes,

m the rift-emerged, eyes black holes of hunger. I slashed across its throat, rain mixing wit

ld went

an's roar, the wolf's snarls-echoed from every direction. The talisman burned against my chest, hot as mo

around: towering obsidian spires loomed above, lit by a sickly green sky. The howls of unseen beasts reverbera

rm. The alpha lay on cracked rock, breathing shallowly, amber eyes flicker

talisman shattered like a

a strangled cry as the darkness peeled from his robes. Lucian's form blurred,

to the air. The alien sky flickered and went black, then gray,

Lucian. He opened his eyes, fin

ng the steady beat of his heart benea

e, warm and real. "You did,"

t ember against my skin. The magic settled like dust

red nod. "For n

lpha, we rose from the broken runes. In the echo of thunder, I realized the battle wa

drawn and hearts united, I knew we would