The hunger inside Shade was screaming.
One step forward—and he would rule. No more fighting. No more struggling. Just power.
One step back—and he would stay himself. Stay hers.
Jade.
His anchor. His weakness. His only reason to keep fighting.
Lucian smirked. "Choose, Shade."
Shade exhaled.
And then—
He chose violence.
He grabbed Selene by the throat, lifting her off the ground. Her eyes went wide.
Shade's voice was a snarl. "I choose neither."
Then he snapped her neck.
The room exploded into chaos.
The Revenants rushed him.
Shade let go.