Damien straightened from his crouch over the fallen enforcer, his bestial features already receding as the tide of battle fury ebbed. His eyes found Elara's, shining with a mixture of relief and lingering ferocity.

"You're hurt," he rasped, taking a step towards her.

Elara followed his gaze to the jagged gash along her forearm, crimson beading against her pale skin. She hadn't even registered the wound in the heat of the fray. "It's nothing. Just a scratch."

Damien frowned, but before he could protest, Aiden called out in a hushed tone. "We need to move. More will be coming."

Seraphina nodded grimly, wiping the blade of her dagger on the...