Chapter 1
The Battery of the Night Owls
The sky over O’Dale had turned the color of a fresh bruise. The Night Owl Captain stood upon the shattered cloisters of the old cathedral, his armor humming with a sickening vibration. Every time he breathed, the green-gold light trapped in the gems of his breastplate flared.
Behind him, held by chains of solidified shadow, was Angelious. He looked like a statue carved from moonlight, his eyes vacant, his very essence being drained to fuel the Captain’s cursed blade.
“You’ve spent twenty years looking for ghosts, Alexandros!” the Captain shouted, his voice amplified by the demonic sinew of his armor. “While you were turned to stone, I was perfecting the art of the harvest. Angelious isn’t a man anymore. He’s the engine of your destruction.”
Claira gripped her staff, the gold in her blood pulsing. “He’s screaming, Alexandros. I can hear his soul... it’s clawing at the bars of that armor.”
Seraphyne landed beside the Captain, her obsidian talons scraping against the marble. She looked at Apollo, who hovered mid-air in his dragon form. “Don't look so horrified, my Prince. Once I’m finished with the girl, I’ll find a cage for you, too. We can keep you side-by-side. Two stolen boys for the price of one.”
Seraphyne lunged closer, menacing the witches. She grimaced and saw a chance, seizing a sword that had fallen nearby. She prepared to throw it, whispering to the blade, “Strike my enemies and kill the heiress.” She smiled as it flew. Jack noticed her and ran into the path of the sword. Seraphyne laughed in delight. “You puny mortal! Did you think you could stop me?”
