Vale's POV
Ryker's scream echoed as his own shadow magic turned against him.
But instead of destroying him, the rebellious shadows just pushed him back a few steps. He was too powerful to be defeated that easily.
"Impossible," he gasped, staring at me with wide eyes. "How are you controlling my magic?"
"I'm not controlling it," I replied, feeling the warm connections to my friends strengthen. "I'm showing it something it's never seen before."
"What?"
"Love that doesn't demand ownership."
Ryker's face twisted with rage. "Love is weakness! Connection is vulnerability! I've spent two thousand years proving that power stands alone!"
"Then you've spent two thousand years being wrong," I said simply.
The shadow chains around Adrian, Zephyr, and Kieran began to weaken as my new bonds with them grew stronger. But they weren't free yet.
"You think your little friendship magic can defeat me?" Ryker snarled. "I am the source of all supernatural power!"
