Chapter 18

Dianna is confronted in the council hall by Imogen, Xavier, and Cameron, who recognize her scent and connect her to Samkiel. When Imogen realizes Dianna once wore her face, Dianna attacks first, conjuring twin fireballs and a forsaken bone-edged blade, exposing her Ig’Morruthen nature.

The clash intensifies as all three opponents press her, their speed and coordination overwhelming. A training memory with Samkiel surfaces: he drills her to breathe, anticipate charged air, and act with intention against foes like The Hand. Dianna applies this focus, reading their movements and the charged air as they flash around her.

Imogen goes down briefly, and Dianna studies Cameron and Xavier’s deadly tandem rhythm. She deliberately takes glancing wounds to learn their pattern, then breaks it—striking Xavier and slashing Cameron’s abdomen. Cameron collapses and tumbles over the balcony, forcing Xavier to dive after him without hesitation.

Imogen recovers, enraged, and reignites the fight. Dianna, prioritizing escape over a prolonged duel, retrieves a vial, speaks an incantation, and drops blood to tear open a star-strewn rift. As Imogen charges, Dianna steps into the darkness and vanishes, leaving Imogen’s scream behind as the portal seals.