Chapter 47
Kai hadn't planned to run to Astra.
But some part of him always did.
She was the chaos he understood. The flames that burned bright before they betrayed him.
When he reached her lookout point—an abandoned cathedral steeple overlooking the ruins—Astra was already waiting. Cross-legged on a ledge that would kill anyone sane.
She didn't look up from the glowing rune she was carving into her thigh with a dagger.
"Seris finally cracked?" she asked.
Kai blinked. "How did you—"
"I felt it," Astra said. "Bond magic's bleeding. You reek of it. Pain, confusion… guilt. Very sexy."
She smirked without looking up, then added a final flourish to the rune, flinching as her skin sizzled under the magic. The smell of burnt flesh briefly overpowered the cold wind.
He sat beside her, careful to avoid the blood smearing the stone. The wind bit hard up here, but Astra wore only a crimson cropped coat and thigh-high battle boots, more fashion than armor.
