Page 103 of A Fury Of Shadows

The spell concealing Vedran wavered, revealing his figure where he stood by the French doors.

Alastair squawked threateningly.

Brimstone and Hellreaver framed Mae and Nikolai, demonic magic throbbing around them as they bared their fangs at the Sorcerer King. Mae shuddered, her cores slowly coming back to life. Her bond with Brimstone and Hellreaver reignited with a thump.

Vedran stared at Nikolai. “You canceledVoid.”

It wasn’t so much a question as it was a statement.

Mae swallowed.

Though Vedran looked fairly stunned at what had just transpired, he recovered his composure quickly, his face shifting into a vacant mask that chilled her to the bone.

Nikolai stepped protectively in front of her, his pupils aglow with Moon Magic and his knuckles pale where he gripped his spear.

Vedran glanced at the night sky. “Ah. I see the full moon is amplifying your powers.”

His voice sounded dead.

Mae, Na Ri warned.

I know.Her nails bit into her palms.Something’s not right.

Goosebumps covered her flesh in the next instant. Nikolai cursed. Shadows were forming next to Vedran.

“Is it another portal?!” Mae said.

Brimstone’s eyes shrank to slits. “That isn’t a portal, my witch!”

Horror widened Mae’s eyes as the darkness condensed into a sword made of black magic.

“What the hell is that?!” Nikolai growled.

Mae’s heart stuttered. She’d just picked up on something. Something that didn’t make sense.

There was a soul inside Vedran’s weapon. One she could make out because of Na Ri’s presence. Bile burned the back of Mae’s throat.

Is that—a familiar?!

Na Ri’s horrified revulsion bled into her consciousness.Yes.

Vedran vanished. Time slowed.

Mae twisted on her heels, her heart thudding sluggishly in her chest,Decimatea half-formed spell on her lips. Nikolai turned, eyes rounding and Hellfire Magic blooming slowly around him and Alastair.

Brimstone reared back, his head smashing the ceiling and his tails moving agitatedly as he batted at the enemy who’d appeared in front of him.

Vedran slashed the demon fox across the face, his features contorted with a rage that turned his eyes a bubbling obsidian.

“Give me theBook of Light!I know it’s inside you!”

“No!” Mae screamed.

She rose inside a crimson sphere, fury and fear choking her lungs.

Vedran darted out of the way ofDecimate’sdeadly bolts and Nikolai’sHell Flare. He kicked off a wall and flashed toward Brimstone, his dark sword aimed straight at the familiar’s heart.

Hellreaver blocked his path, countering the fatal blow that would have felled the demon fox. The impact rocked through Mae’s very being and stole her breath.

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