The Shadow struck.
Tendrils of smoke, claws of black fire, wrapped around Kael's wolf, dragging him down. He roared, his massive frame struggling, but the Shadow sank deeper, poisoning him, suffocating him.
"Kael!" Aradia screamed, her fire blazing white-hot, but every flame she cast only fed the Shadow, strengthening its hold.
His green eyes met hers, dimming, breaking. "Aradia…"
Her heart shattered. Her fire surged, uncontrolled, devastating. Wolves staggered, rogues screamed, the gods shielded their faces. The world itself trembled.
Kael's wolf collapsed, his body limp, his chest barely rising.
And Ronan laughed, his shadow spreading. "See? He dies. He always dies. And you burn."
Aradia fell to her knees, her tears flames, her body trembling.
"No… not again…"