VALERIA

I barely had time to shove Sophia’s half-dying body to the side before a formidable enemy lunged at me.

I didn’t remember Dorian being this strong.

He didn’t look like this… or did he? A sharp pain throbbed in my head, but I didn’t have time to doubt. It was clear he was here for my head.

I hissed in pain as claws sank into my shoulder, gripping me tightly to subdue me.

When I looked up, I found the hate-filled red eyes of a massive beast staring back at me.

Something inside my mind struggled to break free, a scream buried deep within, but I couldn’t hear it because his other claw was already descending toward my head.

My hardened wings erupted from my back, and the stinger pierced through the palm of his raised hand with brutal force, taking him by surprise as it skewered straight through.

Taking advantage of the moment, I extended my claws toward his throat, but he swiftly pulled back from my attack.

Still, I saw his intent to grab my wing and tear it off.

I withdrew the sti