Claws of Deceit

n eerie silence fell over the group. Ava's heart was

eared in the dim light. His eyes seemed to bore int

voice dripping with malice. "You need to un

s blazing with anger. "You're not

but I'm not going to hurt her," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

rn with an inner fire. She knew that she was in gra

the air grew colder. Ava felt a presence behind her, and

the light out of the room. Ava felt a scream building in her t

orld we

p, the woman's bony hand still touching her face. "A

woman and holding her back. "What have you done t

ht, and she spoke in a voice that sent shivers down Lyra'

owed. "What do you

is more than just a powerful witch," she said.

re she could ask any of them, the woman vanishe

d, shaking her friend's shou

im mask. "We need to get her

y were trapped. The cellar door was sealed shut, an

led themselves for another battle. Suddenly, Kai em

you can defeat me? I have the pow

enough of your lies, Kai,"

and Lyra fighting for their lives. But this

ashing to the ground. Lyra followed up with a blast o

pinning Kai to the ground a

they managed to overpower Kai and shatter t

air, they rushed to Ava's side. She was still unconscious, but

said, her voice urgent. "We don't kno

et's get her to safety," he said. "We can fig

their escape, leaving the ruined ma

s eyes were fixed on Ava's limp form in Ryder's arms. Her face was pale

d, her voice trembling. "Please

e Lyra. "We'll get her to safety," he said. "W

ike this before, so still and quiet. She was scared that

to comfort her. "We'll do everything we can,"

a wave of despair wash over her. She h

left Ava's face. She was willing her friend to wake up, to come

gic still and quiet. Lyra, Ryder, and Elijah took turns watching over

yra and Elijah. "We've waited long enough," he said, his voice

d. "What are you pl

to pay a visit to Kai's family," he said. "And we're

d with anger. "Let's

ondition. They tracked down Kai's family to their mansion on the

erpowered. Ryder, Lyra, and Elijah took them hostage, deter

va," Ryder snarled, his eyes blazing with ang

lijah didn't care. They were beyond reason, driven b