Chapter 22

• Magnus's POV
• The dim light flickered above me, barely cutting through the shadows. I leaned back in the chair, relaxed, letting the darkness cloak me like an old friend. My tall frame cast a long silhouette across the blood-streaked floor, and between my fingers, a silver blade spun lazily. Its sharp edge glinted whenever it caught the light, like a wolf's fang glistening before the bite.
• "I heard you've been gathering a few old generals lately, Uncle Conor," I said lightly, my tone almost lazy. "Foreign funds, new alliances... It seems your long hibernation was only to prepare for this-your grand flight to the heavens. Truly, you age like fine blood."