Gold light pulsed under her skin in erratic waves, like a fire that had run out of fuel and was burning the container instead.
Serena lay on the bed, her body radiating heat like a furnace.
Hyran's hands hovered over her, jaw tight. "She's overloaded. The magic has nowhere to go."
Aeron stood on her other side. They exchanged a look. Neither had answers.
The tent flap ripped open and Alaric strode in, medical bag already in hand. He took one look at Serena, muttered something under his breath, and pulled out a syringe.
"What is that?" Fin demanded.
"Fever reducer. Her body is cooking itself." Alaric didn't wait for permission. He jabbed the needle into her arm and depressed the plunger. "This buys us minutes, not solutions. So if anyone has a brilliant idea, now would be the time."
Silence.
In the distance, Velkaris roared. The sound shook the ground beneath their feet.
Every Hidden Flame mark in the room flared white-hot.
