“No,” Lyra whispered, her voice splintering as she stared at the sight before her.
Kael knelt in the dirt, his golden eyes glazed with pain, clutching his chest as blood bubbled from his lips. Ronan staggered on all fours, his wolf form shuddering with every ragged breath. Darius’s blade slipped from his hand, his cocky grin wiped clean, replaced by trembling fury. Even Lucien—her steady, unshakable anchor—was on one knee, sweat slicking his brow, his jaw clenched so tightly it might break.
All of them. Breaking. Because of her refusal.
Kieran’s shadowed figure loomed above them, his hand raised like a puppeteer yanking strings. His voice was velvet and venom.
“Your fire cannot shield them. Your bond ties them to me as much as it ties you. And until you yield, they will suffer.”
Lyra’
