f protection and power. But something was wrong. The energy flickered, unstable, as if something dark had begun to erode their strength from the outside. She

ce dominated the space, his command unquestioned. He spoke of the growing Shadowborn threat, his tone edged with quiet fury

unwilling to remain silent any longer. "Your wards are weakening," s

d across his face. "Convenient, consider

hing. "If I wanted to tear them d

atience thinning. "Enough. Selene isn't the enemy.

omething is actively corrupting t

rd, whispering an incantation of restoration. A surge of power flowed through her, and the sigil flared brightly before

fully, his expression u

ights flickered. The wards pulsed violently, as if crying out in distress.

red near the dagger at her belt. Darius let out a low growl, his

future. A shadowed figure loomed on the rooftops across the street, its aur

sion snapped away. "

ion darkened. "T

Selene knew she had just crossed a threshold. There was no turning

only the