Page 27 of Favored by the Stars (Bound by the Veil #4)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Senara

As Wyn's shadow constructs intercepted the spell, a brilliant flash of light erupted, causing part of it to shatter dramatically. A shard of void energy shot straight into Wyn's chest, piercing the air with an unsettling hum. She gasped, her wide eyes reflecting both shock and disbelief as darkness momentarily veined across her skin, creating a chilling contrast against her silver hair.

"Wyn!" I exclaimed, reaching out instinctively for her as she stumbled backward, her balance faltering.

"I'm, I'm fine," she managed to say, though her voice sounded wrong, deeper and resonating with an echo that hadn't been present before, sending a shiver down my spine. "Keep fighting!" Her determination shone through, even as she struggled to regain her composure, the fierce light in her eyes undiminished despite the peril she faced.

I lunged toward Wyn, my heart hammering against my ribs as dark energy pulsed around her slender form. The void shard embedded in her chest glowed with an unnatural greenish light, sending tendrils of shadow cascading down her arms.

"Something's happening," Wyn whispered, her voice now layered with multiple tones as though several people spoke at once. She raised her trembling hands, and to my horror, the ground around her feet cracked open. Skeletal fingers clawed their way up from the earth, followed by the remains of long-dead creatures answering her unspoken command.

"This power..." she gasped, both terrified and awed, as shadows coalesced around her fingertips. The darkness seemed to bend to her will, forming intricate patterns before solidifying into spectral weapons that hovered protectively around her.

Thorn positioned himself between us and Eldric, but I noticed the masked figure's attention had completely shifted. His silver mask tilted toward Wyn, the animalistic features catching the eerie light emanating from her transformed magic.

Eldric took a step toward Wyn, completely ignoring me despite moments ago fixating on claiming my pendant. "Such raw potential... Centuries have passed since anyone witnessed necromancy of this caliber."

The corrupted fae hesitated, their grotesque forms momentarily still as they awaited new commands. Eldric raised a hand, signaling them to stand down as he continued his approach toward Wyn.

"Stay back!" I warned, channeling both moon and sun magic through the Crescent Diadem, preparing to defend my friend.

But Eldric paid me no mind. His focus remained entirely on Wyn as she struggled to control the surging power within her. The shadows around her thickened, and more undead creatures emerged from the ground, forming a protective circle.

"You have no idea what you truly are," Eldric said to Wyn, his voice almost gentle. "What you could become with the proper guidance."

The shadows swirling around Wyn intensified, dark tendrils coiling around her limbs like possessive serpents. Her face, usually bright with curiosity and warmth, had drained of all color, leaving her pale as moonlight. But what truly broke my heart was the raw terror in her eyes as she stared at her own hands.

"What's happening to me?" Wyn's voice cracked, tears welling up. "Senara, I can feel them, all of them, the dead beneath our feet. Their voices, their pain..." She clutched at her head, silver hair falling forward to curtain her face.

I took a cautious step toward her, noting how the skeletal guardians shifted but made no move to attack. They simply repositioned themselves, hollow eye sockets fixed on me as I approached their mistress.

"Don't come closer!" Wyn cried out, backing away. "I don't know if I can control this. I don't want to hurt you."

Thorn circled to my left, sun-blade drawn and pointed at Eldric. "Whatever you did to her, undo it now," he growled, his stance protective but uncertain as he eyed the undead guardians.

Eldric's mask tilted in what I could only interpret as amusement. "Undo? One cannot simply undo awakening. Your friend has touched powers older than the fae courts themselves."

I reached for Wyn despite her protests, stopping just short of touching her. "Wyn, look at me. We'll figure this out together. I won't let you face this alone."

"The things I'm seeing, Senara..." Wyn whispered, her eyes distant. "Civilizations long buried. Knowledge that was meant to stay hidden." A sob escaped her. "What if I become like him?" She jerked her chin toward Eldric.

"You won't," I promised, though uncertainty gnawed at my insides. Everything was unraveling, the Void Dragon Empress, the artifacts, and now Wyn's transformation. Each step forward seemed to plunge us deeper into chaos.

Volker moved to stand beside me, his eyes fixed on the undead guardians. "They're not attacking. They're... protecting her."

"Of course they are," Eldric interjected. "They recognize power when they sense it. As should you all."

Thorn lunged forward, forcing Eldric back with a sweeping arc of his blade. "Stay away from her!"

I met Wyn's frightened gaze. "We'll find a way through this. I promise you."

Her lips trembled. "There's always a price for power like this, Senara. Always."

And in that moment, I felt our control of the situation slipping away like water through cupped hands.

A bone-chilling shriek tore through the air as a swarm of corrupted fae burst from the shadows, their twisted forms moving with unnatural speed. They ignored me completely, surging past Thorn and Volker toward Wyn.

"No!" I screamed, watching in horror as dozens of clawed hands reached for her.

Wyn's newfound shadows lashed out defensively, her undead guardians lunging to intercept the attackers. For a moment, it seemed her power might protect her, until Eldric raised his hand and spoke words that slithered through the air like venomous snakes. The skeletal defenders shuddered and collapsed, crumbling to dust at Wyn's feet.

"Your control is admirable but premature," Eldric said, his voice cutting through the chaos. "The Shadow Dragon Clan could do much for someone with your potential."

Wyn's eyes met mine, wide with terror as dozens of corrupted fae surrounded her. "Senara!"

I lunged forward, channeling power through both the Diadem and Pendant simultaneously. A wave of silver-gold energy erupted from my hands, cutting a path through the horde, but for every creature I struck down, three more took its place.

"Let her go!" I roared, desperation clawing at my throat as the creatures seized Wyn's arms, dragging her backward toward a swirling vortex that had opened behind Eldric.

Thorn fought furiously at my side, his sun-blade carving through the corrupted flesh. But we couldn't reach her fast enough. Van and Volker struggled against the overwhelming tide of enemies.

"Senara, the artifacts!" Wyn called out, still fighting against her captors. "Don't let them get the?—"

Her words cut off as one creature clamped a gnarled hand over her mouth. The void shard in her chest pulsed violently; shadows exploded from her body for a brief moment, but Eldric was ready. He stepped forward, pressing a glowing sigil against her forehead that caused the darkness to recede instantly.

I screamed her name, breaking free from the enemies surrounding me and sprinting toward the vortex. Wyn's silver hair whipped around her face as the portal pulled her through, her eyes locked with mine in a final, desperate plea.

Strong arms suddenly wrapped around my waist, hauling me backward.

"You can't follow them there!" Thorn's voice was raw with anguish as he restrained me. "It's suicide, Senara!"

"Let me go!" I thrashed against his grip, watching helplessly as Wyn disappeared into the darkness. "Wyn!"

Eldric lingered at the edge of the vortex, his mask gleaming in the otherworldly light. "The Eclipse Child or her mage friend, a choice you'll soon have to make." Then he stepped through, the portal collapsing behind him with a thunderous crack.

Don’t miss the epic conclusion of the Senara and Thorn’s adventure! Crowned by the Shadow, the final book in the Bound by the Veil series, is coming soon. Don’t forget to preorder your copy here!