Aurora's P.O.V

"Ashton..." my voice slipped out before I even knew it had formed. Everything was still, like even the air itself was holding its breath. He stopped mid--chant, his lips curling into that eerie half--smile as he turned his head toward me.

"What did you just say?" His tone was sharp, dangerous, like a knife pressed to the edge of my throat.

I stepped forward, my heart hammering but my voice steady. "I said... I'll do it. Take me instead. Let Riley go, ...