KAEL'S POV
Rylan's runes burned hotter, crawling like veins of lightning across the ruined floor. The temple shook, dust raining from the cracked ceiling.
"Kael—decide!" he roared, blood streaking down his mouth. "She's slipping!"
Cassia thrashed in my grip, her jade-green eyes wild, spitting venom. "It has to be me! Use me! I'm tied to the Hollow already—if you try to take her yourself, you'll both die!"
Her words were sharp—but underneath them was terror.
And I realized at that moment… She wasn't afraid of Ayla. She was afraid for herself.
I looked at the faint golden shimmer flickering in the air. Ayla's echo. So fragile. So far.
Kael… please…
I closed my eyes. The choice was agony. But it was no choice at all.
My claws pressed harder into Cassia's throat, then I shoved her away with a snarl. "Not you."
Her scream cracked. "No! Don't be a fool! She'll drag you into the abyss!"
I turned to Rylan, fire and fury in my chest. "Anchor her in me."
