He didn’t emerge from the shadows.

As the thunder peaked, the sky itself split open violet light tearing down from the northern horizon like a festering wound. The air screamed as the rift bled wider, warping everything it touched.

“It’s you,” I breathed, the words scraping out of my throat half shudder, half growl. My fingers locked around the silver dagger until the hilt bit into my palm.

He cocked his head, slow and deliberate. Those eyes slick, lightless voids dragged over me with open contempt.

A smile curved his mouth. Not wide. Not rushed.

Cruel.

Like he’d already decided how this would end.

“Hello, you useless little Luna.”

His...