Flames erupted from the ground—green, unnatural, forged from pure demonic magic. A dozen cloaked figures surged from the cliffs, blades drawn, incantations spilling from their mouths like venom.
I spun around just in time to block a strike aimed for my throat.
“Ambush!” I yelled, dodging, slashing, twisting through the chaos.
Taeyang’s roar shook the valley. He barreled toward me, cutting down a demon with one brutal swing of his axe.
“Seori! Stay behind—!”
But then Jisoo stepped between us.
“No—” I breathed, watching him raise a hand toward Taeyang.
He didn't attack. He just held his palm up, glowing with sigils I didn’t recognize. His lips moved.
“I’m sorry.”
The look in his eyes—shattered and ashamed—hit harder than any blade could’ve. His power flared, knocking Taeyang back with a burst of energy.
“What are you doing?” I screamed.
Jisoo turned his face away from mine.
From behind me, cloaked hands grabbed my arms. Chains wrapped around my wrists, glowing red-hot. I fought. I screamed. Fire burst from my palms, but it wasn't enough.
“Let me go!” I thrashed. “Jisoo! Why?!”
He didn’t answer. Couldn’t. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought it would crack. Taeyang struggled against a ward circle at his feet, fury blazing in his eyes.
“You son of a—!” he snarled. “You betrayed us!”
“I didn’t want to,” Jisoo whispered, barely audible over the wind. “But the King wants her.”
And that’s when it hit me. This wasn’t just an ambush.
This was a sacrifice.
A trade.
And I was the price.
Rheon
The bond that burns
It started with a whisper.
Then a scream.
Then fire.
The world was still black when the pain cracked open my ribs and flooded my lungs like molten iron. My body convulsed, breath clawing its way back into me as something ancient and furious surged through my veins.
Seori.
Her name tore from my throat before I even opened my eyes.
“SEORI!”
