Aria's POV

The explosion was the first thing I noticed...a loud roar that ripped through the night, overtaking the growls, screams, and the clash of teeth and steel. I scarcely had a moment to react before the force hit me, knocking the air from my lungs. Flames burst forth where the eastern wall used to be, and the ground trembled as if the Moon itself had let out a scream.

"Aria!" Damon called out urgently, his voice filled with raw emotion amidst the chaos. I quickly turned to face him, my ...