Kayden’s POV

The shadows came at us from every direction. My eyes locked on Heather as chaos engulfed the battlefield. Stella was clearly exhausted, though she’d never admit it—not even to herself. Heather wasn’t far behind, her strength fading fast. Damon and I exchanged a look, nodding in silent agreement. In an instant, we shifted into our wolf forms, tearing through the wraith-like figures that dared to fight us. But no matter how many we tore apart, they just kept coming. The numbers weren’t dwindling—they were multiplying.

I cast dark flames, channeling every ounce of magic I had to obliterate them, but it was pointless. More shadows poured through the...