Cassian's POV
The monsters came in waves.
First, shadow beasts—creatures made of living darkness with teeth like broken glass. They poured from the forest, screeching, hungry for blood.
I shifted mid-run, my dragon form erupting in flames. Fire poured from my jaws, turning shadows to smoke. But for every creature I killed, three more took its place.
"Left side!" Kieran shouted, his lightning crackling across the arena. He fought back-to-back with me, storm and fire combining into something devastating.
But we were losing ground.
Lyanna stood at the arena's center, frozen. Shadow magic poured from her borrowed body in waves she couldn't control. The power was too much, too wild. It was tearing her apart from the inside.
"Lyanna, focus!" I roared. "You have to control it!"
"I can't!" Her voice broke. "It's too strong. It wants—"
A shadow beast lunged at her throat.
