[WARNING! Unedited! Don't buy!]
Not a voice.
A rupture.
Shadows detonated outward in a violent wave, hurling Morgana and Valerius back. The chamber collapsed into chaos—pillars crumbling, stone raining from above.
I grabbed Caroline and ran.
We didn't look back.
We didn't stop.
We burst through the side passage just as the chamber caved in behind us, darkness and flame devouring everything in its wake.
The corridor beyond was narrow, twisting, ancient. We stumbled through it blindly, feet slipping on dust and debris, hearts pounding in unison.
Only when we were far enough that the sounds of destruction dulled did we collapse against the wall, gasping for air.
Caroline clutched me, shaking violently.
"I thought—" She broke off, tears spilling freely. "I thought I was going to die."
I wrapped my arms around her, pressing my forehead to hers.
"You didn't," I said softly. "I won't let them take you."
Not ever.
Behind us, far in the darkness, something shifted.
