Bound to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter 46: Shadows Below

Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Shadows BelowARIA POV

"Get down!" Kael shouted, tackling me to the ground as a blast of blue fire shot over our heads.

We were crouched behind a fallen tree at the edge of the sacred grove, the opening to the Moon Chamber somewhere ahead of us. Elder Malin’s news about the triplets being my cousins still echoed in my mind, but we’d had no time to process it.

"What was that?" I gasped, my heart beating against my ribs.

"Guardians," Lucien explained, peering carefully over our cover. "Spirit dogs. They protect the door."

Another blast of fire burned the ground nearby. Through the trees, I could make out glowing blue shapes moving between the old oaks.

"We need a distraction," Jaxon said, his golden eyes

"Something’s wrong," Lucien said, tensing beside me.

The barrier began to twist and contort, forming a face—my mother’s face, her features twisted in pain.

"Run!" she screamed, her voice no longer singing but filled with terror. "It’s a trap!"

The barrier broke like glass, and a wave of dark energy rushed toward us.

"Get back!" Jaxon shouted, throwing himself in front of me.

The darkness hit him full force, lifting him off his feet and smashing him against the wall. He slid to the ground, motionless.

"Jaxon!" I screamed, lunging toward him.

But the darkness was already reshaping, making a new barrier—this one black as midnight. And behind it, watching us with cold, triumphant eyes, stood Darius.

And beside him, smiling wickedly, was Elira.