The words struck me harder than the shaking mountain beneath my feet. The air seemed to thin around my body until breathing felt like pulling shattered glass into my lungs. The Guardian’s enormous form towered above the broken ridge with silver flames flickering through its hollow ribcage. Its fractured eyes glowed with terrible certainty. Each pulse of light reflected across the valley like a ghostly heartbeat. The creature did not move after speaking. It simply watched me with a quiet reverence that felt far more frightening than rage.
Talon stepped in front of me with teeth clenched tightly. His shoulders squared in a stance that screamed protectiveness. His wolf surged beneath his skin, sending shivers of golden light across his arms. He looked ready to face the entire mountain for me
