“Eighteen years,” Braxton said under his breath. “Eighteen years of silence. Of creatures hiding underground, of kingdoms collapsing. All because one man learned how to twist loyalty into a weapon.”
Lucien placed a hand on his shoulder. “Then twist it back. Use what he taught this world against him. Unite them again.”
Braxton looked up, the firelight cutting sharp lines across his face. “I can’t do that if they don’t believe I exist.”
The Master smiled faintly, a rare, weary thing. “Then let them see you burn.”
Braxton turned toward him. “You said this is the flame of the first fire wolves.”
“Yes.”
“Can it still awaken them?”
The Master hesitated. “It could remind them of what they were. But to awaken… it needs blood.”
Lukas groaned. “Of course it does.”
Braxton didn’t flinch. He
