Astella's POV

The explosion of the Shadow Heart struck me as hard as a punch, the foul energy of the corrupt artifact crashing into the golden barrier protecting my form like a massive surf wave. There was a flicker, and I felt the ancient fire within me waver, and terror clawed for my throat, because I knew that it was too big for me to hold.

It was like nothing I'd seen and an ear-piercing explosion that sent Kieran flying back and slamming into a bloodstained stone. Outside the clearing, wolves cried out in agony and were swept away in waves of dark energy. I gasped in horror as I...