The northern road was colder than Lucien remembered.

Snow covered the mountains ahead, but the cold wasn't what troubled him.

It was the feeling.

Something was watching them.

Something that carried his face.

Lucien rode at the front of the group, his golden sword secured at his side.

Seraphina rode beside him.

"You've been quiet."

"I'm thinking."

"About the shadow?"

Lucien nodded.

"It knows everything I know."

Seraphina's expression tightened.

"Then it knows your weaknesses."

"And yours."

She looked at him.

"Then we'll give it something it doesn't know."

Lucien raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Seraphina smiled.

"That we're not afraid."

---

Behind them, Nethros rode in silence.

Lyra approached him....