Faced with Morpheus's own face, Arabella's heart raced. Anger flashed in her eyes like a striking whip as she muttered a spell under her breath, the words hissing through her lips like fire. But before she could finish, Morpheus caught her wrist and leaned close— so close she could feel his cold breath brush her ear.
"Do you know," he whispered, his voice rich with mockery, "that your beloved vampire is about to die soon?"
The words struck her like a dagger. Her breath hitched— hesitation came quick, cruel, and absolute. The power that had been gathering in her veins stilled, the half-formed incantation unraveling into nothing but silence and shock.
"Arabella, move!" Cassius's voice cut through the air, sharp as thunder. He seized her hand just as a violent tremor ripped through the castle.
