Chapter 87. The Abyss

Heather POV

"How do you—"

Kayden grabbed my arm and yanked me to the side just as razor-sharp ice spears began raining down. Before I could react, Stella threw up a shimmering defense barrier around us—Kayden, Damon, herself, and me. They were already in motion, their powers colliding with the relentless onslaught. Stella’s barrier held firm, but the strain was visible in the tremble of her hands.

I stood frozen, useless. I had no magic—just the cursed ability to sense it. While they unleashed fire and fury against the icy barrage, all I could do was prepare for close combat. But even that was a risk. A big one.

Kayden and Damon were darting around, trying to strike at the source of the attack. Their blows kept rebounding off an unseen magic barrier, the force deflecting with a deafening crack. Stella’s barrier flickered as countless diamond-like blades of ice slammed into it, each one cutting closer to us.

The walls of the dungeon groa