The Shadow spoke, and the abyss bent to its will.
It turned to Aradia first. "You burn for them. For him. For wolves who fear you. For gods who would unmake you. But I offer freedom. Power beyond gods. You would never lose again. You would never weep again. Become mine and rule with me."
Her fire flickered, her body trembling. For a heartbeat, she felt freedom from fear, freedom from pain, fire without consequence.
Then it turned to Kael. "You bleed for her. You die for her. Repeatedly, in every life. But I offer eternity. Immortality. She will never watch you fall again. Become mine, and live forever."
Kael staggered, his chest heaving, his green eyes dimming. Immortality. No more death. No more broken vows.
But then he looked at her tear-streaked face, her trembling fire, her love burning brighter than flame.
His voice broke as he whispered, "Without her, eternity is nothing."
Aradia's fire blazed, her body steadying. "Without him, power is nothing."
The Shadow screamed.