The Fae Who Escaped

Aldric's eyes narrowed as he stared at the figure standing in their room, his features concealed beneath a hooded cloak. Islinda's heart pounded against her ribcage as an icy chill ran through her veins, a cold sense of dread creeping up her spine. Who was this stranger? And what was he doing here?

"Who are you?" Aldric growled dangerously, his shadows already writhing around him, coiling like snakes ready to strike.

Islinda, however, had no patience for threats or words. The fight-or-flight instinct surged within her, and everything happened in a blur. Without even fully understanding what she was doing, she grabbed Aldric's hand and instinctively drew on his power. Adrenaline surged through her, and 

and with a burst of sheer willpower, she slammed a miasma of dark energy straight into the figure.

Aldric gasped, feeling the sudden drain on his magic as he watched, stunned, while Islinda unleashed his shadows, a move he never saw coming.