The sorcerer stood at the window, staring out over the silent forest. But his thoughts were far away — on Neriah.
She had her powers back.
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
From the swirling darkness behind him, Lord Vorlag's form pushed forward, colder and angrier than before.
"Did you think I was blind?" the creature hissed.
Eryn stiffened. "My lord… I don't understand."
"Silence."
Vorlag's shadowed face formed fully, the red embers of his eyes burning hotter.
"You dare stall me?" Vorlag snarled. "You dare delay what is owed?"
Eryn's jaw tightened. "I told you — I need more time."
"Time? You had centuries. And still you fail. Still you hide behind excuses… like a frightened child."
"I'm not a child."
Vorlag surged forward, his smoky body coiling around the sorcerer like a cold snake.
"No," he whispered, "you're something worse. I watched you today. The Moonguard used moonfire, yet you walked away."
"I can't fight moonfire. I only—"
