Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

Daniel woke to the sound of excited voices—lots of them—filtering through his bedroom window. He burrowed deeper under his covers, trying to ignore whatever was happening outside the rental house. A chorus of cheers rose up, followed by what sounded like... was someone calling for Knox?

Daniel groaned.

Were those fans outside?

He pressed his pillow to his ears, feeling like he'd barely gotten any sleep last night. Didn't he have enough to deal with already? His thoughts were a tangled mess after yesterday. The Barrier Keepers, the theater, Caelen… Especially Caelen. The way he'd looked at Daniel after claiming that Daniel was his mate.

His mate.

A knock at his door dragged him reluctantly from his thoughts.

"Unless the house is on fire, go away."

"We have a problem." Leon's voice was clipped.

Daniel pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes. "Yeah, I gathered that much from whatever's happening outside. What's going on?"

The door creaked open, and Leon stepped in, his phone already extended. "Get out of bed. You need to see this."

Daniel suppressed another groan and climbed out of bed. A video was playing on Leon's phone, showing Knox throwing Caelen against Daniel's car. The caption read: "MONSTERS OF VERIDIA IRL??? #Knox #DarkIncubus #MonsterTok"

Daniel's stomach lurched as he watched the shaky footage.

"The video is geotagged," Leon commented. "And now all the nerds know where we're staying."

"Sometimes I think the internet was a mistake." Daniel looked away from the phone and started to dress, pulling on yesterday's jeans and a fresh t-shirt.

"The internet is great," Leon said. "Humanity was the mistake."

Daniel couldn't disagree with that. "Humanity's a disaster."

"You love a good disaster."

"I do." A smile found its way on Daniel's face, and then a clear, haunting note drifted through the window, and the crowd outside fell silent.

"Please tell me that's not what I think it is," Daniel said.

They both went to the window.

Outside, fans had gathered on the rental house's front lawn. There were way more people than Daniel had imagined from the noise, and just as Daniel had feared, Lyrian stood on the front porch, ready to give them all a show.

That siren really couldn't resist the lure of a good crowd.

Daniel leaned out the window. "Lyrian! Cut it out right now! If someone uploads this, we'll have an even bigger crowd by noon!"

Lyrian either didn't hear him or chose to ignore him, a faint smile playing on his lips as he faced his impromptu audience. Daniel cursed and spun away from the window.

Outside, the siren started to sing.

Fucking attention hog.

Daniel rushed down the stairs and made for the front door, but Zev materialized out of nowhere, blocking his path.

"Move," Daniel said.

"If you go out there now, you'll be caught in his magic like everyone else." Zev's voice was firm. "Let's not make this worse."

"But—"

"He's right," Leon called from behind them. "Come watch this particular disaster from the living room like a civilized person."

Daniel groaned but followed his friend to the living room window. The crowd outside had gone completely still, swaying slightly as Lyrian's voice wove through the air. Adrian appeared at Daniel's elbow, offering him a steaming mug of coffee.

"You're a saint," Daniel muttered, taking the coffee.

A rideshare pulled up to the curb, and Daniel's grip on his mug tightened as a familiar figure emerged, carefully maneuvering himself out of the car with a pair of crutches. His left leg was still in a walking boot, a stark reminder of what he'd been through. "Hey, isn't that… isn't that the guy who helped Caelen? What was his name... Malik?"

"He was betrayed," Adrian said quietly. "Caelen used him, manipulated him. Like he's trying to do with you."

Daniel took a sip of his coffee. He did feel a certain kinship with the other man. They'd both been in Caelen's captivity at the same time, only that Malik had been chained to a bathroom sink, and Daniel to a bed.

What was he doing here now?

Had his taste for the paranormal not been sated?

He watched as Malik made his way closer, his movements awkward with the crutches. His steps grew uncertain as Lyrian's song reached him. His face went slack, his eyes glazing over as he swayed precariously, the crutches loosening in his grip.

"For fuck's sake," Zev muttered. He set down his own coffee mug with enough force to slosh liquid over the rim. "That's enough."

Before anyone could stop him, Zev strode to the front door.

"Wait," Daniel started, but Zev was already outside, moving through the crowd of entranced fans. None of them so much as twitched as he passed, too caught up in Lyrian's song.

When Zev reached Malik, he steadied him with a firm grip before the injured man could lose his balance completely.

"Cease your singing!" Zev yelled at Lyrian.

The song cut off abruptly, leaving a ringing silence in its wake.

The crowd blinked, confused murmurs rising as people started to come back to themselves. Several phones were still pointed at the porch, recording everything.

"You've had your fun," Zev called to Lyrian. "Now send everyone home."

"I was merely providing entertainment to these people."

"You were bathing in their attention and drawing magic."

Lyrian huffed. "You say that like it's a bad thing, but nobody came to harm."

"Lyrian." Zev's voice took on a sharper edge.

"Fine." Lyrian turned to the crowd again, erasing his indignation from his face.

He took a deep breath, and Daniel tensed, wondering what new performance the siren had in mind. But Lyrian's next song was different. Shorter, simpler, with none of the earlier seduction. The crowd's expressions shifted from confusion to mild disappointment.

"Nothing to see here," Lyrian called out, his voice carrying a hint of magical suggestion. "Just a publicity stunt. Time to head home."

The crowd began to disperse, though some lingered, phones still recording. Malik stood blinking in their midst, his face clearing as Lyrian's magic faded. He adjusted his grip on his crutches, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Zev said something too low for Daniel to hear, but Malik seemed dejected. They spoke briefly, then Zev gestured toward the house. Malik's eyes lingered on Zev for a moment before he nodded and followed.

Malik struggled a bit with the porch steps, but he refused the night fae's offered hand and eventually made it by himself.

They gathered in the living room, an awkward silence falling as Malik settled into an armchair, propping his crutches against the side table.

Adrian was the first to speak.

"How are you doing? I hope you're recovering well."

"I'm managing, thank you." Malik offered a warm smile that immediately made him look twice as attractive as normal. Daniel didn't want to contemplate how handsome he was with his dark curls and tanned skin, almost the same tone as Daniel's.

Had Caelen found him attractive?

Had anything happened between the two of them before…

Oh, this was ridiculous.

Daniel shut the train of thought down.

Malik seemed to be more interested in Zev, anyway. His gaze kept flicking to the night fae who had parked himself by the door, seemingly oblivious to the attention he attracted.

Daniel cleared his throat. "I'm sorry," he made himself say. "About what happened to you."

Malik shifted in his chair. "Actually... could we talk privately?"

"You want to talk to me?"

"Yeah."

Daniel could guess what this would be about, and he didn't want to have that conversation, but he didn't want to deny Malik's request either, after he'd come all the way out to visit them.

"We could…" Daniel trailed off as he glanced at Malik's crutches, then at the stairs. He'd been about to suggest they head to his room, but that was probably a bad idea.

"You can use my room," Zev offered, gesturing to a door just off the living room.

"Thanks." Daniel led the way, holding the door for Malik.

Zev's room was sparse but neat, with just a bed and a chair by the window. Malik settled carefully into the chair while Daniel perched on the edge of the bed, fingers fidgeting with the comforter.

"I saw the video from the theater," Malik said without preamble.

Daniel's fingers twisted tighter in the fabric. "Yeah, that's... that's gone kind of viral, hasn't it?"

Damn those teens for filming even after their friend had been swallowed by the weakening barriers. Anything for the views.

Malik studied Daniel silently for a moment. "You're working with him now."

It wasn't quite a question. Daniel stared down at his hands. "Not exactly. He just... helped. With the barrier thing."

"Daniel." Malik's warm eyes were full of concern. He had such expressive eyes. Were they what had drawn Caelen to him? "He kept me chained in my own basement."

His words ripped Daniel out of his thoughts. "I know." Daniel's voice came out smaller than he intended. "I know what he did to you. It was awful."

"I still have nightmares about it," Malik admitted, as if it was nothing for him to be so open with someone he barely knew. "I don't want anyone else to repeat my mistakes. That's why I came here."

Daniel wasn't sure how to respond. With gratitude? With denial?

He had nothing.

Malik went on. "While I was chained up in the bathroom, he had you in my house. In my bedroom."

"I swear nothing happened," Daniel said, no longer able to keep quiet. "Promise your mountain of stuffed toys didn't have to witness any inappropriate action between me and the Shadow King."

Malik blinked at him. "You're joking about this?"

"It's what I do." How he coped. He licked his lips. "Sorry. But really. You don't have to worry."

"Are you sure? Because Caelen has a way of..." Malik trailed off, running a hand through his curls. "He makes you doubt yourself. Makes you think maybe you're the unreasonable one. That maybe if you just understood him better…"

"It's not like that," Daniel interrupted. "I know exactly what he is."

"Do you? Because I saw how he looked at you in that video. You're clearly his new?—"

"He saved me," Daniel said, stopping Malik from saying whatever he wanted to say. "I mean, yes, he's terrible, but he didn't have to—" He cut himself off, horrified to hear himself defending Caelen. "I just mean it's complicated."

"It's really not." Malik's voice was still gentle, but firm. "He's incapable of caring about anyone but himself. Whatever he's doing, whatever he's making you feel, it's all a lie."

"You don't—" Daniel stopped, pressed his lips together. Don't defend him. Don't defend him.

"I don't what?"

"Nothing." Daniel looked aside, out the window. There were still a few strangers hanging around.

"He finds people who want to see the best in others," Malik continued. "People who think they can handle the darkness, maybe even help him overcome it. That's what he did to me. Made me think I was special, that I understood him in a way no one else did."

Daniel's chest felt tight. "That's not… I mean, I know he's dangerous. I do. But..." But he came when I called. He spoke of me like I mattered. He said I was his mate. "Sometimes he seems almost..."

"Human?" Malik's smile was sad. "That's part of his game. Making you think there's something worth saving. Like he can be redeemed. Don't fall for him just because he's hot."

Daniel stood abruptly, needing to move. The room felt too small. "I'm not trying to save him."

"Then why are you defending him?"

"I'm not!" But he was, wasn't he? God, what was wrong with him? "I just...I told you it's complicated."

"It's really not," Malik said again, softer this time. "And I think you know that."

Daniel ran his hands through his hair, making it stand on end. "I should check on the others," he said finally. "Make sure Lyrian isn't starting another impromptu concert."

He fled the room before Malik could respond, his chest tight with emotions he couldn't, wouldn't , name.

Stupid, he thought. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why did you defend him? You know what he is.

But did he? Really?

Or had he seen something that Malik hadn't?

That moment he and Caelen had connected…

He shook his head—and almost collided with Knox. Fuck, he hadn't been watching where he was going at all.

Knox caught Daniel's arm to steady him. "We need to talk about what happened at the theater. About Caelen and the Barrier Keepers."

"I just... I need a minute. Please." Daniel's voice came out tight, strained.

Knox studied his face for a moment, maybe reading his emotions with his incubus magic. Then he nodded. "Find me when you're ready."

Daniel headed for the front door, but he caught a glimpse of Adrian and Leon out there, trying to get rid of the remaining fans. He slipped out the back door, letting out a shaky breath as cool air hit his face.

Finally. Quiet.

"Oh my god, it's you!"

Or not.

A guy about Daniel's age had circled around the house, phone already out and recording. "You're the one from the theater video! The one the Shadow King saved! This is incredible. Can you get his autograph? Is he still here? He's just so hot I can't?—"

"Are you fucking kidding me?" The words burst out of Daniel before he could stop them. "We almost got eaten by monsters at that theater. A teenage girl got swallowed by a portal, and you're here asking for autographs like none of this is real?"

The fan took a step back, lowering his phone. "No, but… it is real… that's why it's so amazing!"

"Just go away. Please." Daniel had reached the end of his patience. "Go be horny somewhere else."

As the fan retreated, Daniel's phone rang. Jamie's name flashed on the screen.

God.

He really couldn't catch a break.

Had Jamie seen the stupid video too?

He answered the phone. "Jamie, this really isn't a good time."

"You promised you would stay away from Caelen."

Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. "I never promised that. I promised I wouldn't date him."

"Oh, that makes it so much better! The man's an actual villain. He kidnapped you. I don't want to see him anywhere near you."

"I don't need the reminder about what he did."

"Are you sure? Because from where I'm standing…"

"I remember everything, okay?" Daniel's voice cracked. "I lived it. I don't need you or Malik or anyone else to remind me what happened."

A pause. Then, softer: "I'm just worried about you."

"I know." Daniel took a deep breath. "And I'm worried about you. Has anything... weird been happening at the store?"

Jamie's hesitation lasted a beat too long.

"Jamie?"

"It's probably nothing..."

"Tell me."

Another pause. "About an hour ago, several books just... vanished. Right off the shelves."

Daniel broke out in a cold sweat. Why was this happening? The Barrier Keepers had promised it wouldn't! "Get out of there."

"Cracker…"

"I mean it! It's dangerous. You could vanish !"

"I'm not going to vanish."

"But you might!" Daniel's voice took on a hysterical note. Why would Jamie not understand?

"You sound very upset," Jamie observed.

"I am upset," Daniel admitted. "Everything is going to shit." A pause. Daniel wiped his face. "You know what? I'll call you back later." He ended the call before his brother could protest.

Then he slumped against the house's wall, letting his head fall back against the wood. The frustration coursing through him mixed with bone-deep annoyance. Everyone kept telling him what to do, what not to do, who to trust, who to avoid. Knox wanted answers. Jamie needed protection. The Barrier Keepers demanded compliance.

And Caelen...

His hand wandered to his chest where something pulled, tugged, hummed beneath his skin. The Shadow King's words echoed in his mind. Mate . The word should have terrified him. Instead, it explained the electric current that had sparked between them at the theater, the way Caelen's presence lingered like a ghost against his senses.

A cool breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the crisp scent of autumn leaves. Such a normal, peaceful thing. Daniel closed his eyes, trying to ground himself in that moment of quiet. This time of year, his biggest worry should be organizing the Halloween decorations at the bookstore. But instead, reality itself seemed to be unraveling, and somehow he stood at the center of it all.

And of course, he wasn't granted his peace for long.

A shimmer in the air made him push off the wall. Three figures materialized in front of him. Elysia, Tarian, and Galen.

Just the assholes he wanted to see.

Daniel didn't let them speak before he did. "You promised the store would be protected!"

"We did protect it." Elysia's voice was cool, unaffected. "And then you deliberately brought Caelen into this world."

The absolute nerve of these people… "You're punishing my brother because I asked Caelen for help to save children from monsters?"

"What's happening to your brother's store is a result of your actions," Elysia said. "Remember what's at stake. The barriers are delicate. Bringing creatures like the Shadow King across only destabilizes them further."

"So you're threatening my family?" Daniel's voice shook. "Using my brother's store as leverage?"

Tarian cut in. "You're forgetting that your actions have consequences."

"Don't you dare lecture me about consequences while my brother could be in danger!" Daniel took a step toward them, hands clenched into fists. "I might have pulled Caelen through the barrier, but he stabilized it after. He's done more for me than you guys have!"

They all stared at him.

That was all it took for Daniel to realize that he'd just yelled at people who might be able to turn him into a toad or something equally horrifying. He didn't want to be a toad. Toads couldn't even read. But the image of Jamie vanishing like those books kept flashing through his mind, and he couldn't bring himself to regret his outburst.

He didn't apologize.

Elysia's face remained as expressionless as a marble statue, which was somehow worse than if she'd gotten angry. Tarian's eyes narrowed dangerously, and Daniel fought the urge to retreat a step.

The back door creaked, and Daniel's shoulders relaxed a fraction. He didn't need to look to know Knox had come to investigate, probably drawn by the noise of Daniel making terrible life choices. He wasn't alone either; Lyrian followed Knox out, because of course he did. Where there was drama, there was Lyrian.

"What's going on?" Knox asked in that deceptively calm voice that meant someone was about to have a very bad day.

Adrian and Leon wrapped up their fan-control duties by the front yard to join the rest of them. Leon's usually skeptic expression had been replaced by something even more wary, which really didn't help Daniel's anxiety levels.

"Nothing," Daniel said, but Elysia spoke over him.

"We were just discussing recent events." Her silver-streaked hair caught the morning light as she turned to Knox, and Daniel wondered if the effect was natural of if the woman put some magical effort into her appearance. "We came to remind you of our offer."

Knox went very still.

"You mean your ultimatum?" his words carried a dangerous edge.

"It was a generous offer," Elysia corrected, sounding as if she actually believed her own bullshit. "Truly a generous offer, given the circumstances. The barriers continue to weaken. We need your answer."

"We need more time." Knox's voice remained steady, reasonable. Daniel envied that control. His own heart was trying to pound its way out of his chest. "There's too much we don't understand about what's happening. About why the barriers are failing in the first place."

"Time," Tarian scoffed, "is the one thing we don't have."

"Why is that, exactly?" Daniel asked, because apparently his mouth had a death wish today. "Why is time such a problem for you when Caelen managed to stabilize an entire zone in seconds?"

The temperature seemed to drop several degrees. Elysia's eyes fixed on Daniel with the kind of attention that made him want to hide behind Knox. Or possibly move to another continent.

"You would do well," she said, each word precise as a knife, "not to speak of things you don't understand."

"Then help us understand," Knox said, and Daniel could have hugged him for drawing the keepers' attention away. "If there are things we need to know, tell us."

"If we were complete…" Tarian began, frustration bleeding into his voice.

"Enough." Elysia's command cracked like a whip.

Daniel didn't miss the look that passed between the keepers, or the way Tarian's jaw clenched as he fell silent. There was definitely a story there, but before he could wonder about it too much, Elysia turned back to Knox.

"We've been patient," she said. "We've given you time to consider your options. But our patience, like time itself, has limits."

Adrian shifted closer to Knox, and Daniel's stomach twisted. This was his fault. He'd led the keepers here. Whatever happened next would be on him.

"If you cannot make this decision," Elysia continued, raising her hand, "then I will make it for you."

Magic crackled in the air.

"No!" Daniel lurched forward, but Knox's arm shot out, pushing him back.

Power surged from Elysia's raised hand, something harsh and cold that felt worse even than Caelen's ice magic, that felt wrong . Knox combatted it with a barrier of his own, dark energy crackling against Elysia's assault.

Daniel stared.

This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.

Lyrian's voice rose in song, but not the seductive melody from earlier. This was something ancient and sharp, and the air itself seemed to shiver in response. The siren's power wrapped around Knox's barrier, reinforcing it.

"Stand down," Tarian commanded, his own magic gathering like storm clouds.

"After you attack us?" Lyrian's song carried the words without breaking rhythm. "I think not."

Galen, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. "This is not a request."

Daniel's heart hammered painfully. He'd done this. He'd brought them here. If Knox or Lyrian got hurt, if they got sent back to Veridia or stripped of their powers—it would be his fault. Just like with Jamie's store. Just like with?—

A blast of power from Elysia shattered Knox's barrier. Lyrian's song rose to a crescendo, but Tarian's magic struck like an avalanche, cutting through the melody.

What followed seemed to happen in slow motion: Knox, moving to strengthen his defenses; Galen, raising his hands; the burst of power aimed straight at Knox's chest.

Lyrian moved faster than Daniel had ever seen him move.

"No!" This time it was Adrian's voice, high with terror.

The blast meant for Knox caught Lyrian square in the back. His song cut off with a choked gasp. He crumpled, and Knox barely managed to catch him before he hit the ground.

"You dare—" Knox's voice was pure fury now, all pretense of calm forgotten. Power gathered around him, dark and hungry, but he was outnumbered. Even as he laid Lyrian gently on the grass, Elysia and Tarian were already moving, magic radiating from them.

Daniel's breath caught in his throat. Everything was falling apart, and it was his fault. His fault for leading the keepers here, his fault for not finding another way.

The keepers' magic surged again. Knox was fighting alone now, trying to hold back three attackers while protecting Lyrian's crumpled form. Dark power swirled around him, but Daniel could see him faltering, could see the strain in every line of his body.

Zev came bolting out of the house, but even as he was running toward them, Elysia's next blast caught Knox in the shoulder. He staggered, caught himself, only to be hit by Tarian. A whip of pure energy wrapped around Knox's throat, yanking him to his knees.

Adrian's cry pierced the air, raw and desperate, as Knox struggled against the magical bonds. Daniel had never heard Adrian sound like that before. Adrian, who always maintained his composure, who approached everything with careful analysis.

They were going to lose. Knox was going to fall, just like Lyrian, and then what would happen to Adrian? To all of them?

Daniel's chest tightened. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Could only feel the weight of what he'd caused pressing down on him like a physical thing.

If only he could do something. If only he could?—

You know what you can do.What we can do.

By this point, the voice in his head was achingly familiar. So familiar that he didn't question it. He only begged. Make this stop. Please.

The world seemed to hold its breath.

And then shadows began to gather. They twisted and writhed, growing denser with each passing second. The air grew heavy, charged with a different kind of power—darker, hungrier. Daniel felt it in his bones, in that place inside him that had never been quite the same since he'd looked into Caelen's soul and found something there staring back at him.

Elysia's head snapped up, her eyes widening a fraction. "What is this? What…?"

The shadows condensed into a familiar form: tall, ethereal, with flowing white hair and eyes that burned like viridian fire. Caelen materialized between Knox and the keepers, his presence alone making the very air shiver.

"Now," he said, his voice silk over steel, "what makes you think you can scare my mate?"

The magical bonds around Knox's throat dissolved as Tarian stumbled back. Knox drew in a ragged breath, one hand going to his throat while the other remained protectively near Lyrian's still form.

On their enemies' side , Elysia recovered first, her composure snapping back into place like a mask. "Shadow King." Her voice dripped with disdain. "This does not concern you."

"Doesn't it?" Caelen's smile was all teeth. "And yet I've been called." He shot a look at Daniel and something in his expression softened for the briefest of moments before he focused his attention back on Elysia. "It would be prudent for you to leave."

"The barriers," Tarian began.

"Are failing," Caelen finished for him. "Yes, I'm aware. Though I find it interesting that you three seem so... ineffective at maintaining them. Isn't that supposed to be your job?" His gaze swept over the keepers, sharp and assessing. "One might wonder why you're so incompetent."

Something flickered across Elysia's face, too quick to name, but Daniel caught it. So did Caelen, judging by the way his smile widened.

"You're incomplete," Daniel blurted out, remembering Tarian's slip earlier. "That's what you were going to say before, isn't it? But incomplete how?"

"Silence," Elysia snapped.

Caelen's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Missing the forth member of your little band, are you? Where is he? Did he call in sick? Did he get sick of your miserable faces?"

"We will not be questioned by the likes of you," Tarian growled, gathering power again.

"No?" Caelen's voice dropped to a lower register. "Then perhaps you'd prefer to be destroyed by the likes of me?"

Shadows exploded outward as Caelen moved, faster than Daniel's eyes could track. Knox too was back on his feet, dark power gathering around him once more. Zev stood by his side, blades poised, ready for battle.

But the Barrier Keepers were stronger than Daniel had imagined. At Tarian's command, the earth cracked under their feet while Elysia's attacks came like hammer blows from above, the very air condensing into deadly force. Galen was no push-over either. Anytime Zev tried to strike him, the Barrier Keeper seemed to vanish only to reappear in a different place.

Three-against-three should have felt even, but there was something about the keepers' power that felt... fundamental. Like they were drawing their magic from the foundation of reality itself.

Daniel watched nervously as Knox was forced back into a corner once more. The incubus made an easy target because he refused to leave Lyrian's side.

"Pet."

Daniel nearly jumped as Caelen appeared by his side, warm body pressing against his. "You've called me," Caelen murmured, voice like silk. "Will you fuel me?"

Daniel's heart beat too fast for reason. He knew what Caelen was asking, remembered all too well how it felt to have the Shadow King draw on his energy. But Knox was struggling against another aerial assault, and Zev had barely dodged a spike of earth, and Lyrian was still unconscious on the ground...

"Yes," Daniel whispered.

Caelen's fingers brushed Daniel's scalp and then his lips touched the nape of his neck and Daniel had to bite back a gasp. The touch lasted only a moment—there was not more time than that—but the pull of energy that followed was pure sensation; sharp and sweet and devastating. Magic flowed through their bond and made Daniel ten times more aware of its existence.

Caelen had claimed another little piece of him, and this time, Daniel had given it freely.

Where would that lead him?

Daniel couldn't think about it now.

He felt Caelen's power surge, but instead of launching an attack against the Barrier Keepers, Caelen directed his magic at Knox.

"No!" Daniel screamed.

Caelen couldn't betray them now!

Don't worry so. Caelen's voice in his head, though the Shadow King didn't turn around to him. The force he directed toward Knox wasn't meant to hurt. His shadows instead joined with Knox's, empowering the blast Knox hurled at the Barrier Keepers.

The shadows enveloped their enemies. For a moment, they were wrapped in darkness so complete it seemed to swallow even the morning light.

Then they were simply... gone.

Daniel's knees buckled.

Was it over?

Was it really over?

It seemed to be.

At least for now.

If ads affect your reading experience, click here to remove ads on this page.