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“Enjoy what time you have left, Enchantress—just in case that little threadsnaps,”the sorcerer said. “And before I march on that human village of yours.”

“What?”

It was Arabella’s voice. She sounded so small, like the lost girl she’d once been in the forest.

Magnus didn’t turn back to her as he said, “I’ll be at the gates of Shadowbank in three days’ time. My erox who can wield essence will take down the ward. It will be like child’s play.”

Elias’ heart nearly stopped.

Magnus was marching on Shadowbank? But why?

Sudden realization dawned.

Magnus needed more men to turn into erox to grow his army. He’d also found a way to give other erox Elias’ ability to wield essence. And now, he had another, more powerful syphen.

That’s why Magnus wanted me,he realized.He wanted to find a way to take down wards—including the wards around the great cities.

Without those wards, demons could march into human cities without any resistance.

But first, Magnus needed more erox.

Tears streamed down Elias’ cheeks as he walked down the castle hallways to the sound of his mate screaming.

Then they were gone.