Golden light exploded across the ritual circle, so brilliant that Daisy had to shield her eyes despite the Moon's Tear's protective aura. Her heart wrenched as she imagined Cassius dissolving into that radiance, sacrificing himself to close the time fold that Elvira had torn in reality's fabric.
But when the light receded enough for vision to return, Cassius still stood there—confused, intact, and very much alive.
"What the—" he began, golden light swirling protectively around him.
It was Thorne who had moved, placing himself between Cassius and the fold, ancient magic gleaming in eyes that suddenly held no trace of corruption. The shadows that had cloaked him fell away like shed skin, revealing the man beneath—tall, dignified, his silver hair whipping in the supernatural winds generate
