The air inside the Vault of the First Sun felt like breathing liquid fire. The man in the dark suit—the Void-Walker—stood perfectly still, his presence absorbing the golden light radiating from Julian and me.
"The King's Key," I repeated, my voice tight. "Kael isn't a key. He's a Lycan."
The Void-Walker laughed, a sound like glass grinding against bone. "You truly don't know? You think a simple wolf, no matter how 'Royal' his blood, could hold the Shadow-Heart? The Lycans are the keepers of the night, Ella. But Kael Draven is the Lock."
Behind us, the sound of the battle above intensified. A massive crash shook the Vault, and Kael plummeted through the ceiling, landing in a crouch between us and the Void-Walker. His black fur was matted with salt and blood, but his eyes were fixed on th
