The air inside the shrine chamber turned sharp with killing intent.
Stone dust rained from the broken entrance while the silver fire along the walls flared violently, casting fractured light across ancient carvings and drawn blades. Everyone in the chamber had already shifted into motion before the next impact fully echoed through the ruins.
Kael stepped in front of Selene instinctively.
Again.
Always again.
Dark pressure rolled from him in heavy waves, violent enough that even the silver flames reacted, dimming briefly beneath the force of his Alpha aura. Freya moved toward the staircase with sword drawn while Fenrir positioned himself beside the entrance arch, silver-gray eyes narrowed like a wolf scenting blood through snow.
Lucien remained near the altar, one hand gripping the archive case tightly while the other hovered uncertainly near the hidden dagger at his side.
The old Ash Moon elder did not move.
That unsettled Selene more than the incoming threat.
