The cage was cold and unyielding, the iron bars digging into my wrists as I tested them, searching for some weakness, some chance of escape. Elias crouched beside me, his eyes scanning every corner of the dimly lit chamber. The air smelled of smoke and old stone, and I could feel the Sorcerer’s power radiating from somewhere deeper within the castle—a suffocating weight that made my stomach twist.
“How many damn castles are in this world?” Elias asked.
“Too many. Too many people wanting control.” I said.
“Well we can’t wait.” Elias whispered. “He’ll only tighten his traps.”
I nodded, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. Our hands hovered near our magic, waiting, testing. I closed my eyes and focused on the energy humming beneath my skin. The light that had begun to flow from my claws
