C44 The shadow's claim

The air rippled with power so old it made Zoe’s bones hum.

She clung to her father’s arm, her small body trembling as the towering mass of darkness loomed before them. The chamber’s torches sputtered out, one by one, until the only light left was the faint, terrified glow in her mother’s eyes.

Lucas drew Zoe behind him. “Stay back,” he rasped, his voice rough with fear and fury