The air split with the sound of metal giving way.
Lyra stared at the smoking cuff dangling from her wrist, her pulse hammering in her throat. For a heartbeat, silence reigned—Kael frozen in shock, Darius wide-eyed, Orion grinning like the storm itself had bent to his will.
“You see?” Orion’s voice dripped satisfaction. “Even your chains know who you belong to.”
“No.” Lyra’s voice came out raw, breaking on the word. She tried to push herself back, but Orion caught her arm, his grip unyielding, scorching against her skin.
Her storm surged wildly, fighting itself—half reaching for Kael, half clawing toward Darius, and now, horrifyingly, sparking in response to Orion. The conflicting pulls made her stomach churn.
“Get your hands off her!” Kael’s roar cracked through the chamber. His chain
