The walls of the infirmary trembled violently.

Black shadows spiraled around Lucien, shattering glass and extinguishing every candle in the room. The air grew so heavy that several guards fell to their knees, unable to breathe.

Lucien slowly rose from the bed, suspended in the darkness.

His crimson eyes glowed with an inhuman light.

"So..." the ancient voice echoed from his lips. "The seal has weakened."

Oracle Selene stepped forward, her staff glowing with silver light.

"Stand back!" she shouted.

Sir Elias immediately pulled Seraphina behind him.

"No one goes near His Majesty!"

Lucien's gaze swept across the room before stopping on Seraphina.

For a terrifying moment, she thought he...