I left Malrik with nothing but a kiss and the truth that I couldn’t say out loud: this might be goodbye.
He wanted to come. Of course, he did, he’s a possessive, reckless idiot, but he’s mine, and I want to protect him. I needed him when the time was right, even if he hated the plan.
I should have walked away when I had the chance. Told them all to fuck off. Should've ignored Ronan, with those maddeningly pretty blue eyes and that infuriating charm—the kind of warmth that makes you forget cold even exists. The kind I hadn't realised I'd been starving for until it sank into my bones.
But I couldn’t walk away because I found people whom I cared for. And a beautiful man whom I think I’m falling in love with.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
We never had a real plan—just desperation and a half-formed idea about getting Vespera's blood. But they were supposed to be safe. That was the one thing I needed. The one thing I thought I could protect.
But they’re not safe. Not even close.
And I can feel it—like a thread being ripped from my chest. She’s hurting him. Maybe even killing him. He doesn’t deservethat. Not Ronan. Not the one who chose to protect me when he had every reason to run.
Rage simmers under my skin, tangled with panic. If she takes him from me—any one of them—there’ll be nothing left worth saving. No mercy. I will tear the world apart to destroy her.
Piece by piece.
“Remember, Raven. Don’t tap into the magic until I say so.”
“I remember.”My heart is hammering in my chest.
Finally breaking through the treeline, I don’t stop to catch my breath. The city of Astrithal lies ahead, the sun beaming down from the sky. Witches wander the cobbled roads, chatting and shopping as if there’s nothing wrong in the world. A few turn to stare as I sprint past—mud on my boots, scratches on my skin.
I skid to a stop, gravel biting into the soles of my boots.
Hunters. Armed and armoured, moving with brutal purpose—straight toward Ronan’s apartment.
Panic punches through my chest.
Only the twins will be inside.
One of the hunters lifts his leg and drives it into the door.
“No—no, no, no—”
The door shatters under his weight, glass raining down onto the floor. They flood inside the apartment building, weapons drawn, bloodthirst carved into their faces.
They will kill them.
Pain hits me in the gut, and I know I need to save Ronan and Kieran, but I can’t let the twins die. Darian would never recover from that loss.
I force my legs to move.“Raven, what the hell are you doing?”Xarothar's voice is a rumble of irritation and warning in my mind.
“Having a nice jog,”I pant.“What do you think I’m doing?”
“It looks like you’re about to get yourself killed being reckless.”
I leap over the crumpled remains of the front door.
“I won’t let them die.”
He growls inside my head, but I block him out. I don’t have time for him to argue with me about this. Because if those twins die, Darian won’t recover. He’ll shatter, and as much as he pretends to feel nothing and lets the darkness take him—I know better.
I take the stairs two at a time, the dagger strapped to my thigh slips easily into my hand, the blade and magic familiar as it slides against my skin.
The door to the twins’ apartment is barely clinging to its hinges. I hear shouting—Drew's voice, furious and cracking.
