As Raven gazed at Elias, her heart thumping like a war drum, the room shook.
She continued, "You made a pact," in a tight voice that was just audible above a whisper. "Did you not?"
Elias did not recoil. His eyes were darkened by memories that would not be buried as he stood close to the charred hearth.
"I did," he acknowledged in a flat voice. It wasn't about power, though. It was necessary for survival.
Raven moved forward. "You're telling lies. When you utilized that magic on the rogues, I sensed it. It wasn't pure. It wasn't organic.
Elias turned slowly, the light dimly illuminating his eyes. "Since it wasn't."
The echo of reality made the air grow colder.
"I gave up something... someone," he murmured. "To keep the pack intact. However, the cost was higher than I had anti
