CHAPTER 42

“It's over, Ryder,” I shouted, amazed at how firm my voice sounded. “Whatever you're trying to do, we're here to put a stop to it.”

A sinister laugh bounced through the open space, making me shiver. “Oh, sweet Aurora,” Ryder replied, sounding condescending. “You have no clue what I'm up to. The force I'm going to release will change everything. And you three? You're just tiny insects annoying a powerful being.”

As he talked, the area near Ryder grew darker, with streams of darkness wrapping around him like moving smoke. I could sense the immense power coming from him, much more intense than anything I'd felt before. Whatever ceremony he had done had boosted his powers to an alarming level.

“Now!” Asher's sharp command cut through my moment of fear.

Instinctively, I reached for Aiden's energy, feeling our powers intertwine as they had in the cave. Light burst from our joined hands, coalescing into a shimmering shield just as Ryder unleashed a torrent of dark energy.

The impact was stag