The shadows moved like smoke through the halls.
Everyone froze. The air grew cold, sharp, and thick, like it was pressing against our lungs. I could hear the others breathing — short, quick, afraid. Dennis shouted for light, but every bulb and candle stayed dead. It was as if the shadows had eaten the flame itself.
“Asher.” I whispered, grabbing his arm.
“I’m here.” His hand found mine, steady and warm, the one solid thing in the dark.
Gage’s voice came next, rough and urgent. “Get behind me, Lilly—”
A loud crash cut him off. Something hit the wall hard. We couldn’t see it, but we felt the vibration rumble through the floor.
Then, a faint golden glow flickered from Gage’s hand — his power lighting the space just enough to see. Shadows crawled along the ceiling like ink spilling from
