The gorge was empty now—empty of allies, empty of voices—save for the thunder and the crackle of frost.
Kael stood alone, the last barrier between Solas and the rebels’ retreat. His chest burned with every breath, scars glowing faintly under his torn cloak. Lightning arced off his body in restless bursts, as though the storm inside him knew what was coming.
Across the shattered stones, Solas advanced. His boots crunched over ice spreading from his every step, frost crawling up the gorge walls until they glittered like glass. His eyes were cold fire, fixed on Kael with the hunger of a predator that had cornered its prey.
“You should have run with the rest,” Solas said, his voice carrying sharp as icicles. “But then, perhaps you wanted to prove yourself a god after all.”
Kael raised his
