Chapter 14: Storm above the Citadel

The dawn shattered over Frostfang in crimson shards. Aurora swirled like bleeding silk across the sky, casting ghostlight over ruins that still smoked from the battle’s end. From the outer towers to the central plaza, silence hung—heavy, waiting.

But deep within the Citadel’s veins, a storm still brewed.

Shadowhide reinforcements had arrived early.

And they were not human anymore.

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Freya barely had time to breathe.

She stood at the center of the plaza, her skin pale from blood loss, silver veins faintly glowing beneath cracked armor. Theo remained upright beside her, though he leaned subtly on her shoulder, their tether shimmering with residual magic from the altar.

Lark rushed up the stairs from the eastern watchpoint.

“They’re coming through the southern gate!” she gasped. “The real Shadowhide army. Eirene bought them time.”

Freya didn’t flinch. “Then we hold.”

Lark hesitated. “They brought something else.”

Freya turned.

“What?”

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