Claire’s POV

The creature’s head continued rising until it towered above the Heart.

Its horns scraped against the darkness overhead, dislodging grit that scattered across my face and shoulders. Beneath the corruption blackening most of its body, I caught glimpses of silver scales. Dark veins split through them like ink forced beneath skin, while enormous chains disappeared between the scales and emerged farther down.

None of those chains hung loose. Every one of them stretched toward the rear of the chamber, pulled tight by something hidden beyond the Heart.

There was only one thing the creature could be.

A dragon.

Its immense eye narrowed upon me before it lunged.

Damian...