Chapter 81: UNLIKELY ALLIANCES
Chapter 81: Unlikely Alliances
The darkness lasted only seconds, but it felt like hours. When Liana’s eyesight cleared, Rowan was on his knees, clutching his head.
The shadows around him had disappeared, leaving only a trembling young man fighting something inside his own mind. "Get them out!" he screamed. "Get them out of my head!" Kael burst through the door, moving faster than someone without Alpha power should be able to.
He dropped beside his brother, pushing his hands against Rowan’s temples. "Fight it," Kael ordered. "You’re stronger than whatever’s trying to control you." Slowly, the silver faded from Rowan’s eyes, returning them to their normal soft blue. He fell against Kael, gasping for air.
"They’re in everything," Rowan whispered. "The shadows, the mirrors, the gaps between thoughts. They’re not coming through during the Convergence. They’re already here, hiding in the cracks." Celeste had gone completely white. "That’s impossible. The defenses should hold them back until---" "The barriers are Swiss cheese," Talia stopped, entering with Elder Mira. "I can see it now.
Every time someone uses bad magic, it weakens them further. Every death, every betrayal, every moment of despair makes another crack." "Which means we’re running out of time faster than we thought," Mira said grimly. Liana helped Rowan to his feet, studying his face.
"Are you okay?" "No." His honesty was welcome after so many lies. "Something’s been speaking to me since we broke the bond. Promising power, promising justice against everyone who ever hurt us. It’s getting harder to ignore." "That’s how it starts," Celeste said quietly. "The Void Wolves don’t just control you.
They lure you.
They make their darkness feel like rescue." "Speaking of salvation," Liana turned to face her old rival. "You mentioned another way to recover the triplets’ power. What did you mean?" Celeste’s chains clinked as she moved uncomfortably. "Lyra isn’t just planning to bring the Void Wolves through. She’s wanting something specific. An item that will let her control them completely." "What kind of artifact?" "The Heart of Shadows. It’s a crystal that holds the essence of the first Alpha who ever turned to darkness.