NARRATORFrederick should have been euphoric, he was about to finish off the threat.His hand trembled as he gripped the dagger raised in the air, that woman had started crying like an idiot and wasn’t reacting.Everything could be perfect… however, he was more scared than he had ever been in his life.Because the mask on his face was screaming in pure terror, because he felt this illusion spell had nothing to do with his witches’ summoning.And worst of all, because of the shadow of a man standing behind that woman.Only a pair of golden eyes could be glimpsed, shining in the middle of so much darkness.They could even be fascinating, but to him they were an abomination, a beast waiting to rip his head off.He understood that none of this came from his cursed mask, that the power of so many sorceresses was nothing compared to the real puppeteer.His arm, which felt like it weighed tons, was lowering slowly, controlled by that man’s thoughts.The female voices in his ears screeched li

NARRATOR"No, of course not!" Laziel exclaimed, breaking out of the imperturbable image he always showed. "I knew you could control it, my love, you were never in danger, Lavinia...""Sure, because you set me up with a test, but you were still watching to see if I screwed up... Did you trust me or not?... And don't touch me!"She slapped his hand away when he reached to caress her face.For the first time, Lavinia saw a crack in her male’s perfection as he slowly withdrew his hand.Something hadn’t gone the way he’d planned."Lavi...""Call me Lavinia, because that nickname is really bothering me right now," she shot back mercilessly, watching Laziel’s jaw muscles tighten under the strain.His eyes held storms Lavinia had never seen until now."I did it to make you stronger; your specter was missing her motivation, you gave her a reason to stay and obey you... truly obey without resisting."Laziel slowly explained what Lavinia had already figured out.When he found Electra’s mate-spec

NARRATORAnd not wanting her meant Electra would wander again without an anchor, would disappear someday, or Laziel would wipe her out for good. Here and now."I accept, and this time I will never fight you again; I only have one condition." Lavinia watched her squeeze that very handsome specter’s hand even tighter.She was dark by nature and cold. He was sunny, even for a specter formed from resentment.Two beings so different and yet so compatible."César comes with me, forever. He’ll also be your hired specter; you can call on us to fight for you," she told her confidently.Lavinia, in truth, wasn’t that surprised. Not after Laziel’s confession.This was the outcome he’d been aiming for.She realized Laziel had also fed César with his power to make him stronger; that’s why he’d regained a corporeal form.Lavinia felt her male’s presence at her back the whole time, protective.If she said she wasn’t moved, it would be a lie."All right... I accept you both, and you already know the

NARRATORThe magic contained in his body bubbled with excitement as he climbed higher and higher toward the mountain’s peak.Frederick had hidden the missing piece of the Heart at the very top of the tallest mountain, half-concealed among the clouds.The huge wolf’s paws gripped the gravel. He climbed the winding, slippery path until he stepped onto solid rock.The mist of the clouds filled the air, making it cold and bringing an atmosphere of mystery.But Khalum knew exactly where that divine energy was, the one so tainted by the wickedness of mortal beings.His paw pads sank into the grass that just days ago had been bright green and damp, and now withered from the curse left at the center of the clearing.“There it is, Khalum. What do you think will happen when we recover it?” Drakkar asked with some uncertainty. Knowing its origin, what worried them most was a trick from the Gods.“We must do it. Don’t be afraid, everything will be fine.”Khalum pressed on, following the threads o

NARRATORNot even when she was separated from her family and fell into a wild, hostile continent had Lyra felt so desperate.Something in her chest was tearing slowly, the fear of losing her mate.The moment she spotted the back of that strange man, she shouted at him, convinced he was the one to blame.She watched him turn slowly, and her wolf writhed with discomfort, with a desperate urge to lower her head before him.His eyes held a savagery she had never seen in anyone... of this world."So you’re the supposed mate of Khalum." The booming voice vibrated in her mind, even without him opening his mouth.He took a few steps toward her and cleared the haze, but suddenly a strike of shadows spread from Lyra’s back.The intruder seized Silas’s power into his clenched fist, matching its dizzying speed, then moved his hand to dissolve the spectral claws.A scream of pain rang out from somewhere."Tsk, tsk, such disrespect," he clicked his tongue in annoyance, yet utterly relaxed.Silas wa