Chapter 12

Rayne POV

The night felt colder than usual with the darkness around us thickening like an angry cloud over us. I tried to focus, to gather my thoughts, but the voice that had emerged from the trees held a power that stole every bit of warmth from the air.

A man stepped forward from the shadows, tall and imposing, his smirk dangerous as his eyes gleamed with a dark thrill. He moved with a predator's grace, calm and unbothered by our presence. And somehow, his confidence was the most unsettling thing of all things ever.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice louder than I intended it to be. Beside me, Kael tensed, and I could feel Mateo shift subtly, both of them on high alert on who this new man was.

The man's smirk widened as his gaze flicked to each of us.