Lorien POV

I held my breath as the creature padded past the office, my shaking hand pressed hard over my mouth. They could smell fear. They could hear my pulse slamming against my ribs like a trapped bird but Riven’s battle downstairs must have kept its attention because the beast lumbered on.

I didn’t know how long I crouched behind the overturned desk before I heard someone sprinting toward me. My heart leapt hope rising sharp and foolish in my chest that it might be Auren. But it was ...