Tales of Aria"Lost Heir"

ran, and Aria sat around a crackling fire, its warm glow casting flickering shadows over their face

e low. "We need allies. We're not strong

pack-rogues, mostly. They've kept their distance from Ma

hat could work," she said, though doubt tugged at her. "But what

Malakai doesn't stop. He crushes, controls, conquers. He's

m the memory. "What drives him?" she aske

ly. "The kind that rots

silence fell. The plan was f

Loud. Sharp

"We're not alone," he muttered, h

es stepped into the clearing, their bodies lean,

stomach

n front of her, bow raised. Kier

ispered to his brother

lves c

ightning, loosing arrows that cut through the dark. Kieran fought be

nother. Blood streaked his fur, and

a f

e thunderous in her ears. Kael was

n't let t

but never came. Instead, some

from th

to

pas

didn't look back, didn't slow. Her breath burned. The stream

lves f

g him into the brush as the enemy gave chase. His brother

.. Aria w

kicked, twisted, fought-but more followed. Too many. They dragged

ehind her as they pul

Shadows stretched across the carved wa

in ragged gasps. Her limbs trembled from the figh

, the thro

it-Ma

Stained oak. Broad, imposing. It used t

reeked

, one leg thrown over the other, a satisfi

smooth and sharp, like glass dragged acros

glared at him, even as two guards

e willingly,"

like thunder. "No. But that do

to the floor. Chains clinked. Pain flared in her

said. "Until I decide

dened, crue

comes... you'l

dn't r

give him the

uards dragged her down the dark corri

w her int

r slamm

swallowed

was

sn't broke