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I reached out for the threads of necromancy binding the army, starting with the Gray Generals and using their hierarchy to claim thousands of shades in moments. With Inarus dead, his bindings to the shades were thin, and dismissing them was as simple as clearing an old cobweb.

In little more than a heartbeat, everything changed as the undead army became mine.

Never had my magic felt more natural, more necessary, and if I hated myself for what I had done, at least I would have the power to keep Ayla safe.

I opened my eyes as the new bonds snapped into place, my consciousness filled by the army now bound to me. The entire vault listened to my whim, the structure itself ready to serve me. Quickly, I singled out the strand of magic that trapped the shard in the crystal orb.

Under my instruction, the orb dissolved, and I reached inside to retrieve the shard, snagging it before I could second-guess what I had done. Quickly, I shoved it into the pocket with the other shards, cringing as they clanked ominously.

“Thank you,” I gritted to Inarus. “Not for the army, but for explaining quickly.”

My deceased mentor smirked.“Zayne, I once said you would become the same as me, and that still hasn’t changed, even if you don’t understand.”

I let his words roll off me like water on oil.

Rising, I nodded to Guardian, feeling my connection to the skeleton, like everything in this vault, had shifted.

“To the surface, Adept Zayne?”

I hesitated at the sound of the new title.

“When should I expect your return?” Guardian asked.

I shook my head. “I’ve got to go.”

In a rush, I shadow-stepped from the room and was halfway across the length of the vault. In another moment, I reached the landing halfway up the stairs where Guardian had once stood. I rushed through the dark hallways that were now mine, worried what I’d find at the surface.

Ayla’s emotions had shifted again. Devastation and…

I jumped again, this time reaching the top platform. With a final step through both shadows and the Underworld, I passed through the death gate, finding myself standing before a broken beach.

A whirlwind of grainy dust whipped against my face, and I squinted, struggling to recognize my surroundings. Not far away, the ground was split. Nearby, a rock smoldered, giving off an acrid smell.

And Ayla...

The tether pulsed in my chest. My heart raced.

There.

Ayla was sprawled across Ninti’s belly. The firewolf was ashen gray with not even a flicker of her tail.

“Z-Zayne?” Ayla croaked, looking up at me.

Relieved, I collapsed to the ground, searching her body with my hands, prodding gently as I asked, “Are you hurt?”

“No, I…” She looked like she’d been crying.

Panicked, I looked her over once more.

“But Ninti...” Her face paled. “I screwed up. I took too much power from her, drained her. I think.”

“Let’s get back to the boat.”

“I’m fine.” She stood up, making her point even if she did wobble slightly. She squeezed her eyes tight. “Can you carry Ninti?”

With a grunt, I heaved Ninti over my shoulder, hiding from Ayla how heavily the unconscious firewolf slumped against me. Her eyes were closed, breath shallow.

The firewolf was strong enough to help us take down a shade army. Ayla couldn’t really drain a deity… could she?