The attack came before dawn.
The sky split open with black fire, shadows pouring across the forest. Ronan stood at their head, his runes blazing, his voice echoing with unholy power.
"Burn with me, witch!" he called, his amber eyes fixed on her. "Or burn with him!"
Kael roared, shifting into his massive wolf, his claws tearing through rogues with savage fury. Aradia fought beside him, her flames lighting the night, wolves howling as they rallied to her side.
But then—the shadow struck.
A tendril of smoke, black and suffocating, wrapped around Kael's wolf, dragging him down. He fought, claws ripping, teeth tearing, but the shadow sank into his wounds, poisoning him.
Aradia screamed, her fire blazing, but she was too far. She saw him fall, his massive form crashing into the snow, his green eyes dimming.
"Kael!"
Ronan laughed, cruel and triumphant. "See? He is nothing. He is mortal. But you, Aradia—you are fire eternal."
Her body trembled, her fire spiraling out of control as she rushed to Kael's side. His blood soaked her hands, his breath shallow.
And in her chest, something broke.