“They’re boxing us in,” Kael mutters, pulling me into the shadow of a large boulder by the stream’s edge.
I press against him, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. “What do we do?”
He looks down at me, conflict evident in his golden eyes. Then he makes a decision, squaring his shoulders despite the pain it clearly causes him. “We surrender.”
“What? No?—”
“Not both of us,” he clarifies. “You go to your people. I’ll let Viktor’s scouts find me.”
“They’ll kill you,” I protest.
“And your people will imprison you at best, execute you at worst.” His hand cups my cheek. “At least this way, one of us has a chance to expose Viktor’s plans.”
I shake my head, refusing to accept his logic. “I’m not leaving you.”
“Elena—”
The choice is taken from us as a Storm Eagle lands at the canyon’s edge, shifting immediately into human form. Even from this distance, I recognize Viktor’s broad-shouldered silhouette. At the same moment, a Haven’s Heart transport vehicle appears at the eastern entrance to the canyon, soldiers deploying in tactical formation.
Trapped. We’re completely trapped.
Kael pulls me closer, his lips brushing my ear. “Whatever happens, remember what we discovered. The genetic truth about Storm Eagles, about their need for diversity. It could save both our peoples.”
For a heartbeat, his closeness makes the entire world narrow to the heat of his body and the soft brush of his mouth near my ear. The scent of ozone and male and the rough scrape of his stubble sends a shiver down my spine, urging me to turn and press my lips to his. My body sways toward him of its own accord, need pooling low in my belly despite the danger surrounding us. I force myself to breathe, to remember that this isn’t the place or time. The rustling of leaves and distant footfalls snap me back to the reality of the trap closing in on us, and I wrench my focus back to the imminent threat.
Before I can respond, four more soldiers emerge from the undergrowth barely twenty yards away—Haven’s Heart special forces, moving with silent precision. They haven’t spotted us yet, but it’s only a matter of seconds.
From above, Viktor signals to his scouts, who dive into the canyon in eagle form. The noose is tightening.
“I love you,” I whisper, the words surprising me even as they leave my mouth. It’s the first time I’ve said them, the first time I’ve even fully acknowledged the emotion to myself.
Kael’s eyes widen, then soften. “And I you, Elena Ashford. Since the moment our eyes met.”
The Haven’s Heart soldiers spot us. Weapons take aim. Orders are shouted.
Simultaneously, Storm Eagle scouts land nearby, shifting into aggressive fighting stances.
Two worlds converge on us, enemies united only in their desire to separate us. In this moment, with both our lives hanging in the balance, I realize a fundamental truth: what Kael and I represent—unity between sky and earth, cooperation instead of domination—threatens the foundations of both societies.
Kael straightens to his full height, placing himself slightly in front of me in a protective stance. Even weakened, he projects the authority of a clan leader. “Viktor!” he calls out, his voice carrying up to the canyon rim. “I challenge your right to leadership!”
Viktor’s laugh echoes through the canyon. “A dead man cannot challenge, Stormwright. And you are already dead to the clan.”
The Haven’s Heart commander steps forward, weapon trained on Kael. “Dr.Ashford, step away from the shifter.”
I remain firmly at Kael’s side. “Commander Reed, there’s something you need to know about the Storm Eagles?—”
“Step away now, Doctor. That’s an order.”
Kael and I exchange glances. No choices left. No time for explanations or negotiations.
The Storm Eagle scouts close in from one side, Haven’s Heart soldiers from the other.
In our final moments of freedom, Kael takes my hand. Our fingers intertwine, and I feel a pulse of energy pass between us—the echo of our life force exchange, the promise of what our complete bond might have been.
“Take them,” Viktor commands from above.
“Secure the traitor,” Reed orders simultaneously.
