The world shook with the force of the corrupted guardian’s strike.
Its claws slammed into the original guardian’s chest, cracking stone, splitting ancient runic lines, tearing through the glowing core beneath the plates. The sound echoed like a mountain being broken in two. A shockwave rolled out, dust spiraling upward in a choking cloud. The original guardian staggered backward, its runes flickering like dying embers.
And I felt it.
Not in sympathy.
Not emotionally.
But physically.
Agony ripped across my chest as if the claws had torn through me instead. I dropped to the ground with a choked cry, clutching my ribs.
Nathan was there instantly, his arms around me before my knees even hit the stone.
“Margot. Stay with me. Look at me.”
But I could not focus on his face. I could barel
