"We've been discovered," Kane said tersely. His weapon appeared in his hands like magic.The artifact's glow suddenly intensified. Its dark energy pulsed with renewed strength. Instead of being destroyed by our interference, it seemed to be drawing power from our proximity. Growing stronger rather t
Aurora's POVThe old smuggler's tunnels beneath Blood Moon territory smelled like my childhood nightmares. Damp earth. Rotting wood. That musty scent of secrets buried too long underground.Kane and I crept through the narrow passages like ghosts. Our footsteps were silent on the soft ground. These
The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders like a lead blanket. But I couldn't abandon the people suffering under Giana's manipulation. And breaking her control over Raymond would transform our entire position."I have to try," I said firmly. "I can't leave my people to suffer. And freeing
Aurora's POVThe war room looked like someone had detonated a paperwork bomb.Maps were sprawled across every flat surface. Intelligence reports hung from boards along the walls, creating a tapestry of threat assessments and political calculations. Empty coffee cups littered the tables, evidence of
"How much time do we have?" I asked, studying intelligence patterns that painted an increasingly alarming picture."Days, maybe less," Kane replied grimly. "The Alpha Council meeting isn't just diplomatic necessity anymore—it's our last chance to coordinate defenses before open warfare begins."The
Aurora's POVThe next morning came with the kind of crisp clarity you get after a storm passes. Like the air itself had been scrubbed clean. Kane showed up at my recovery room carrying breakfast and intelligence reports, moving with less of that coiled tension he'd worn for weeks.Dr. Ashford had cl