The night air outside the temple was heavy and still. The moon hung low, glowing brighter than usual, its light pouring over the ruins like liquid silver. The air buzzed faintly with leftover energy from the ritual, a strange mixture of warmth and cold that made Selene’s skin prickle.

She hadn’t moved from where she sat beside Darius. His head rested on her lap, his body still weak from the magic that had brought him back. She traced slow, trembling fingers along his jawline, staring at ...