The shadows didn’t stop.
They twisted around us, curling like snakes, cutting off every path. The air was heavy and cold, full of whispers that tried to crawl inside my mind. Every sound was doubled, every shadow moving as if it had a life of its own.
Gage was in front of me, kneeling on the stone floor. His chest burned with the guardian’s mark, gold light flickering unevenly across his skin. Shadows coiled around him like chains. His eyes were wild, half gold, half black, his hands shaking violently.
“Gage.” I whispered, crawling forward. “You have to fight it! Listen to me!”
He shook his head. “I… I can’t. It’s too strong, Trinity. Every time I try, it pushes back harder.”
I pressed my hand on his arm. “Yes, you can! I know you can! Feel me! Feel the bond between us. Let it guide y
