Page 118 of Night Fae

As the ritual began, faint lines of light stretched between the four humans, forming a square around the central pattern. The temple's shaking subsided slightly as the pattern stabilized, but something wasn't right. The energy seemed to flow unevenly, stronger in some places than others.

"It's not enough," Lady Morvena announced, her eyes fixed on the center seal. "The entity is too powerful for such a simple binding."

Lord Darius nodded in agreement, exchanging a meaningful look with his mother.

The two Night Court elders circled the ritual space, examining the energy patterns with calculating eyes. Their gazes repeatedly returned to Zev, who tensed under their scrutiny.

"What are they doing?" Malik whispered, not breaking his concentration on the ritual.

"Nothing good," Zev replied, instinctively moving closer to shield Malik.

As if coming to a decision, Lord Darius approached Zev with unexpected formality. Lady Morvena followed a step behind, her silver robes rustling against the stone floor.

"The time has come for you to redeem yourself," Darius announced.

Zev's gaze narrowed. He'd known the man was planning something. "Not interested."

"Don't be foolish," Morvena joined the conversation. "You will serve a greater purpose." Her eyes gleamed with anticipation. "The ritual needs a focal point. A vessel strong enough to channel and redirect the entity's power."

Zev looked between the two of them.

A cold shiver ran down his spine.

Did they mean…?

"You think I'll become that vessel."

"This way you can still serve your family!" Darius's voice took on an edge of excitement. "Your whole life we've taught you to compartmentalize your mind, to separate yourself from your emotions. You're perfect for this!"

Zev backed away. "No."

They couldn't beserious.

But Darius and Morvena had already begun chanting, their hands weaving complex patterns in the air. Before anyone could do anything, shadow matter coalesced around them, responding to their call.

"Stop!" Malik shouted.

Nobody listened.

The shadows surged forward, wrapping around Zev's body like liquid ropes.

No, he couldn't let this happen.

He wasnotgoing to be a slave to his family again. He wasnevergoing to be a slave to his family again.

Never!

He roared, his own shadow powers flaring in resistance, but whatever Darius and Morvena were doing made a different kind of power seep into his skin, tracing his veins in black lines.

Pain crashed through him—unlike anything he had experienced before. Not physical agony but the pressure of an ancient consciousness pressing against his mind, seeking entry.

"The ritual circle is faltering," Knox called out.

Energy diverted from the binding pattern toward Zev.

"The perfect vessel," Morvena observed with cold pride, maintaining her spell.

But through the haze of pain and the noise of incomprehensible thoughts in his mind, Zev felt a different sensation—a bright thread of warmth cutting through the invasion.