Her blade hung at her side, but she didn’t raise it.
Both the Maiden and the White Mare had warned her about this moment—had asked if she was prepared to do whatever it took to stop Katell.
But she couldn’t.
Even now.
Even after everything.
She could fall. She could bleed. But she would not abandon her sister to the darkness.
Katell’s fist slammed into her shoulder, sending her sprawling. Her body hit the ground hard. Mud filled her mouth, rain stung her eyes, yet she forced herself up.
“Kat,” she choked out. “It’s me.Little star.”
Katell advanced without hesitation.
“I’m sorry,” Alena rasped, throat tight. “I failed you. Leukos was right. I should’ve picked up that sword and fought beside you against the slavers.”
Another blow came. Alena ducked, but not fast enough. Pain flared through her ribs; her arm numbed. She gasped, staggered, but willed herself upright, legs quivering under the effort.
“I never should’ve left you.”
Tears mingled with the rain. Her chest burned, body screaming from every strike. She knew she wouldn’t last much longer. The next blow might kill her.
And maybe… maybe she deserved it.
“All this time, I leaned on your strength. I counted on you to carry the weight. Protect the family, no matter what. You always took Father’s words to heart… more than I did. And when it mattered most—when youneededme most—I wasn’t there.”
She reached out with a bloodied, trembling hand.
Katell seized her by the throat and slammed her against one of the stones. Agony exploded down Alena’s spine. Blood filled her mouth—yet she smiled.
“But I’m here now,” she gasped between ragged breaths. “I’m here, Kat. And I’m not going anywhere. Not this time.”
Katell’s free hand rose, fingers curling.
“I know you’re still in there,” Alena breathed, each word a lifeline thrown into the dark. “And even if you kill me… even if this is how it ends… I love you. Nothing will ever change that.”
The rain eased, softening to a steady patter, washing over the standing stones.
The circle held its breath, suspended in fragile silence.
Each heartbeat stretched into eternity. Alena waited—hoped against all odds.
And then—Katell froze.
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
KATELL
When Katell’s mortal body followed Alena into the circle of standing stones, the mirror’s sheen flickered, then dulled. The magic vanished in a flash, leaving only a blank, polished surface and the trickling fountain.
“No!” Katell leaned over the basin and slammed her palm against the bronze mirror, but the image didn’t reappear. Only her own distorted reflection stared back.
The standing stones were ancient magic, Laran had said—a hallowed place where Gifts and magic alike unravelled. Alena, clever as ever, had lured her there on purpose, hoping to sever her connection to the Makhai.
Still, Katell’s strength and fighting abilities were part of her.
