Blood and Shadows
Arin's POV
"No!" My voice tore through the air as I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails cut into my palms. The pain grounded me, but it didn't stop the fear twisting in my gut. "I won't do it!"
"Oh, but you will," Queen Althara purred, her voice dripping with venomous delight. Her silver eyes gleamed with dark amusement as she waved her hand lazily.
Without warning, more shadow creatures slithered into the chamber—twisting monstrosities of smoke and bone, their eyes burning like embers in the dark. They oozed malice with every step, their forms flickering and shifting like oil over water.
We were surrounded. Outnumbered.
Siena was cornered, her dagger trembling in her hand as three creatures stalked toward her, their claws dripping with black ichor. Malik was pinned beneath one, fighting against its crushing grip. The triplets—Kael, Jaxon, and Rowan—stood back to back, encircled by a dozen more of the creatures, teeth bared in defiance.
