AYLA'S POV
The Hollow screamed like a living thing.
Light and shadow twisted together, tearing the ground apart beneath us. Kael's hand was the only anchor I had left—hot, unyielding, trembling with fury. Rylan's form towered just beyond him, half made of flame, half made of memory. His eyes were still his, though. Sad. Beautiful. Mortal.
Only one leaves whole.
The words slid through my veins like ice.
I tried to step forward, but Kael's grip tightened. "Don't."
My voice cracked. "He's still in there, Kael. I can feel him."
"He chose this," Kael snarled. His blade glowed faintly in the storm's light, the edge humming with rage. "He made his choice when he betrayed you, when he bound himself to this place. You don't owe him anything."
Rylan laughed softly—no mockery, only weariness. "You think you understand sacrifice, King?"
Kael's shoulders tensed, and the air shimmered with the weight of his anger. "You call it sacrifice. I call it running from consequence."
