Daughter of the Shadows

speak for a

ed louder than an

stranger who claimed to be her father. The Demon Lord. The same one sh

said, but her voice

murmured, a strange

ueen's sister - had died when Seraphina was twelve. She'd

The way they glowed silver in candlelight. The way

r loved," she whispered. "The

no

her voice growing hoarse. "The court exiled her.

n't die,"

ell like a

Wh

ly. "By the Seraphim. They wan

a step. "No... no, I bu

torn from the earth and bound in the upper

e slightly at t

The shadows around them pulse

the alley puddle wasn't human. Her eyes shimmered silver and gold.

llucinating. S

d. "Why come to me a

ding into each other. And you, Seraphina, are the tether. You

ndered. "What

you're be

ouch burned - not painfully, but like a flame wak

lley v

ghts - all fell away in a r

a land that looke

s. Strange trees grew like skeletons with glowing leaves. Rivers of light snaked acro

oons - one bleeding silve

ord said, "to Umbraeth

turned in a

er powers surged. Her heartbeat slowed to match the pu

om

... broken," sh

d it. So it grew wild. It became sanctuary for those like us - half-breeds, fa

ith shadowlight. Creatures watched them from a distance - some

hey reached

ck stone, jagged spires, fire-lit windows. Gargoyles

d faintly with veins of light, like the castle was alive and br

nymore. Her demon half was waki

r a while. The angels have sensed your awaken

y," she said, sharp

eraphina. You can embrace your demon side... or sacrifice

ed. "And i

may destroy

y: "I'm not giving up a part of myse

said a

rned - and th

her f

t h

e eyes and cruel smile. The one who stirred somethi

s crossed. His presence made the

e said. "And you're far more

reath

sked, even though par

rin de

ou about," he said softly. "A

conti