The shadow creature stepped out of the dark hallway, and its glowing red eyes locked onto us.It was taller than a normal man, with long arms that dragged against the carpet. Black smoke curled off its body, and its wide mouth opened to let out another wet growl.Move! Evelyn shouted, pushing me hard to the side.A bolt of bright yellow electricity flew from her hand, striking the creature square in the chest. The blast threw the monster back against the wall, but it did not stay down. It hissed, its body shifting like liquid smoke before it leaped forward again, aiming straight for Evelyn's throat.I did not think. I flicked my wrist, and a wall of thick ice shot up from the floor between the monster and the detective. The creature slammed into the ice with a heavy crash, cracking the frozen barrier but stopping its attack.Nice trick, Vance, Evelyn said, her voice sharp as she kept her hands charged with bright sparks. "Now keep it busy while I find the emergency stairs.My uncle we

The wall of violet fire raced straight toward us, eating the asphalt and turning the ground into glowing dust.I did not have time to think. I threw my hands out in front of me and pushed all my power into the pavement. A massive sheet of thick, jagged ice shot up from the street, rising like a wall to block the path of the flames.The fire slammed into the ice with a deafening crash. Steam exploded into the air, blinding us with thick white clouds. The heat was so intense that the front of my suit jacket felt hot against my chest, and the ice wall began to crack down the middle, splintering into a thousand sharp pieces under the pressure.Move! Evelyn shouted, grabbing the back of my suit jacket and yanking me hard to the side.We rolled across the pavement just as the ice wall shattered completely. The wave of fire swept past the space where we had been standing, scorching the brick walls of the buildings beside us.I scrambled to my feet, coughing as the thick smoke filled my lungs

The crimson light from the dome flooded the safe house, turning my uncle's face into a mask of cruel satisfaction.The final phase has started, Marcus said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he looked up from the floor. You can beat me up all you want, Arthur, but you cannot stop what is coming. The central tower is already open, and your sister is finishing the work your father started.I kept my hand pressed against his collar, the dark shadows coiling tighter around my fingers. For a second, I wanted to let the cold rage take over and end everything right there. But the red light outside grew brighter, casting long, bloody reflections across the walls, reminding me that thousands of people were trapped under the shield with us.Evelyn did not hesitate. She reached down, grabbed Marcus by the arm, and pulled him hard to his feet. Without a single word, she drove the heavy butt of her electric pistol squarely into the side of his head. Marcus went limp instantly, dropping to the f

The massive creature landed on the stone floor with a heavy crash that knocked the breath straight out of my lungs.It stood taller than three grown men, with skin the color of old ash and a body shaped like a giant wolf made entirely of smoke and bone. Dozens of glowing red eyes covered its head, shifting and blinking in every direction at once. It did not have a mouth, but a deep, heavy roar came from inside its chest, shaking the heavy iron chains that held us to the floor.That is a core beast, Evelyn said, her voice tight and strained as she pulled against the magic-sealed steel bars wrapped around her arms. "The council uses them to guard the deep vaults. If it attacks while we are locked in these chains, we are dead.I am not planning on staying in these chains, I said.I looked up at the platform where Elena stood. She held her hands out toward the creature, guiding its movements with the violet light shining in her eyes. She did not look at me like a brother anymore. She look

The man in the long dark coat stepped out of the white light, his wide-brimmed hat casting a deep shadow over his face.He did not rush. He walked slowly across the stone floor, his heavy boots making a sharp sound that echoed off the high walls. On his right hand, the silver ring with the council crest caught the light, gleaming like a small blade in the dark room.My heart skipped a beat, but I did not step back. I pulled Elena behind me with one hand while my other hand flared up with black shadows and freezing frost.Who are you? I demanded, keeping my voice hard and low.The man stopped ten feet away. He slowly raised his hand and pushed back the brim of his hat, revealing a face lined with old scars and cold, dead eyes that looked at us like we were insects on a desk.You can call me Director Vance, the man said. His voice was smooth, quiet, and carried a weight that made the air feel thin. Though your fake uncle Marcus called me boss.The name hit me like a physical blow. The d