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My body rejected the scope of my necromantic control, my mind becoming hazy.

A few Shades slipped through the cracks of my command. Clinging for control, I focused my attention on the events at the stronghold.

Fortunately, the troll remained frozen. Ayla beat at it, striking with her swords, landing more hits per second than seemed possible. She was slowly making progress.

“You fool,” Inarus said, beside me in the Underworld. “Without my Shades, Gloom will expand. With Eleanor collared, I can extend my work through her. I’ll be stronger! I can send Gloom back! You have no idea what you’re dealing with.”

He was right—I had no idea. I was a child playing with fire. I’d made mistakes at the Rift. Had they risen from the same arrogance Inarus showed with the Shades? In his mirror, I saw my weaknesses.

Unlike him, I would learn from my mistakes. “Your Shades are an abomination,” I gritted. “We have to find a better way, one without collars and Brands.”

Inarus grabbed the skull, his bony fingertips jamming into me. I struggled with the weight of the crystal skull, and he yanked, pulling the skull from my reach. The black diamond fueled him, granting bite to his strength.

“Darkness is inevitable,” he hissed. “So why do you resist?”

37 | Shattered

Ayla

Zayne had power over the Shades. Presumably.

I struck the troll, my sword reverberating with the sound of metal grinding against wood turned to stone. Ashy dust billowed, fading to nothing. A crack formed, evidence of my progress.

The troll didn’t respond. I struck again, hit after hit after hit. I damaged the Shade. It was slow, tedious work, yet I continued. Blow by blow, I had to make the progress while I could.

Zayne’s body remained still. I couldn’t guess at his circumstances. This pause was my opportunity, and I needed every advantage.

Actually, what I really needed was a fresh source of power.My magic.My body and mind ran on fumes. Gloom weighed on me. Momentum was the only force driving me forward—if I paused, I would collapse.

My mind was fuzzy and my vision tunneled. I was driven by the simple mission of survival. No strength to spare—I could not strategize or awaken blocked magic.

I struck again, fire burning in my exhausted muscles. My attacks were becoming sloppy. My core weakened.

I was alone. So alone.

The troll blinked its black eyes, and I forced my trembling arms to lift the blade again. Zayne’s control was fleeting.

Zayne

Inarus seized the crystal skull, the black diamond glowing as it enabled his strength.

As it slipped through my hands, I gave my final commands.Don’t attack,I ordered the troll.Back away,I told the Shades. Every second mattered, and I didn’t know how many seconds remained.

Eleanorneededto rise. Quickly, I sent a silent plea to my twin, practically a prayer—it was the most I could do for her.

I focused on Inarus. I rammed my will against his, attempting to seize the crystal skull and command over the Shade army. Try as I might, his grip remained firm. The diamond gave him strength.

Inarus ordered his Shades to march forward. From the Living Realm, I heard a grunt and a yell.Ayla.She shouted, the battle cry of a final stand.

Her roar reached me through the depths of death. The sound echoed throughout my being.

Ayla deserved a better fate than this. She lived with vitality, carrying a fire that illuminated the texture of life—even a life of shadows. Since knowing her, my life would never be the same. I had struggled to release my lifelong guilt while helping Sandra, and I couldn’t add Ayla’s fate to my list of mistakes.

I had to fight harder. Determined, I dared. I reached for the black diamond.

The stone pulsed within my hand, the purple light radiating through my fingers. Inarus tried to shove me aside. My fist burned, but I clutched the stone, desperate to claim the raw power.

The diamond’s fire died, becoming warm curiosity. Desperate, I begged, “To save those I love, I need this power.” It listened, and like a dream within a dream, the Underworld faded, and I entered a new reality.