The battlefield smelled like ash and blood.
The moon hung full and white overhead, casting its silver light across the stone courtyard of Lysandra’s stronghold. The Witch Queen had built her lair on the ruins of an ancient temple—one older than the war, older than the prophecy, older than us all. And now, as the earth trembled beneath our feet, it would become the place where everything ended.
Or began.
"Ryker!" I screamed, breaking free of Kael's grip as Ryker’s body crumpled to the ground.
Axel staggered back, blood pouring from a gash above his brow, his chest rising and falling in ragged heaves. He looked more beast than man, fury contorting his face.
"You betrayed me," Ryker growled, clutching his side where Axel's blade had sunk deep.
"You grew weak," Axel spat. "For her. For t
