of her temporary quarters within Blackwood Tower, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the railing. The battle against th

her magic. The wards around the tower tre

y, draped in a long coat, his silhouette framed by the distant cit

," she

rm-gray eyes gleaming with unreadab

red-tall, elegant, his presence commanding in a way that had nothing to do with brute strength. But there was something el

alcony, his expression carefully neutral, but his energy coiled tight beneat

assing," Luci

. "I was invited." His gaze fli

hem before the tension ignited into somet

hing. "Because time is running out. An

a quiet growl.

n aren't just attacking at random. They're looking for somet

ed in her bon

cane energy dancing at his fingertips. "Be

esence bristling with protective

ened. "Then let's

f them in stark silver light. The past and present had