C80 THE MOON WAS BETRAYED BY THE FLAME

The moon hung low that night, streaming silver across the shattered courtyard. The air shook with the echo of Elara’s last scream – a sound that didn’t belong to this world. It came from somewhere deeper… ancient… from the place where pain and prophecy meet.

Damon was on his knees, his claws soaked with his own blood. “Elara,” he muttered, his voice scratchy and breaking