I stand at the center of the circle, my bare feet sinking into the damp earth. The air is thick with the scent of pine and wildflowers, but there's something else—a strange, ancient energy that vibrates in the air. It's Kael's presence, I can feel it even before he steps forward.
"You ready?" Kael's voice rumbles through the night, low and steady, as he approaches. His dark eyes lock onto mine with an intensity that both unsettles and grounds me. I hate him for abandoning me all those years ago, but I know, deep down, that without him, this moment—this ritual—would never happen.
I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. There's no turning back now. "Just... make it work, Kael. I can't lose control."
His lips twitch into a ghost of a smile, though his eyes remain serious. "No one can cont
