Valecar's attack roared forward, twin claws pulsing with red-black mana, aimed straight for Lucifer's chest.
But he never reached him.
A ripple tore through the ground beneath Valecar's feet—silent at first, then violent.
From his own shadow, a clawed hand burst out and seized his leg.
Before he could react, he was yanked off balance and slammed into the stone like a ragdoll.
The ground cracked, a crater forming around him as dust shot up like smoke from a cannon.
Then came the growl.
Low. Deep. Unnatural.
Valecar coughed and turned his head.
A massive wolf stood over him, fur like black smoke threaded with red firelight. Its eyes glowed—a molten gold that burned like judgment. Clawed limbs, curved fangs, shadow dripping from her shoulders like armor.
Vina.
In her full demon-werewolf form.
Her voice rumbled out, distorted by her beast-shape. "You don't touch him."
