And pray to whatever gods might still be listening that we’re not about to end the world.
Chapter 39
Kaia
The six points of light wait for them. Not me — them.
Because I go last. The Key doesn’t turn until the lock is ready.
“Take your positions,” Alekir commands, and I hate that we’re doing what he wants. Hate that this might be exactly the trap he laid. Hate that I have no idea if the purified bonds will matter at all, or if I’m about to kill everyone I love.
Torric moves first.
He steps onto his point and fire erupts around his feet, contained within the symbol, his rune blazing on his chest. He looks at me — really looks at me — and I feel his fear through the bond. His love. His absolute refusal to let me face this alone.
I try to memorize his face. Just in case.
Aspen takes the position beside his brother. Frost spreads in perfect crystalline patterns, his ice-blue eyes steady despite the terror bleeding through our connection. He nods once. Slow. Deliberate.
I see you, that nod says.I’m here.
Finn’s chaos crackles as he finds his place. He opens his mouth — probably to make a joke, something to cut through the weight of this moment — but nothing comes out. His green eyes are too bright. His hands won’t stop shaking.
He’s scared.
We’re all scared.
And I might be leading them to their deaths.
Darian moves like a man walking toward his own execution. His light magic blazes around him, pure and golden, no longer fighting what he is. He meets my eyes as he takes his position, and the emotion that crashes through the bond nearly buckles my knees.
Trust. Despite everything. Trust.
What if I’m wrong?
Malrik’s shadow magic writhes around him. He stands tall, steady, and when he looks at Darian — his brother, gods, hisbrother— something passes between them. Then his gaze finds me.
Steady. Certain. Even now.
I don’t deserve that certainty.
Kieran takes the final position, completing the outer circle. His ancient presence settles into place like a stone dropped into still water. He doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t need to. The bond carries everything — his fear, his hope, his desperate prayer that this works.
Six bloodlines. Six men. All of them trusting me.
All of them ready to die for a gamble none of us are sure will work.
The center of the circle pulses. Waiting.
For me.
I look at each of them one more time. Torric’s fire. Aspen’s ice. Finn’s chaos. Darian’s light. Malrik’s shadow. Kieran’s dragon I can see in his eyes.
My family. My heart. My home.
If this goes wrong — if the alignment tears us apart, if Alekir was right and I’m just a tool he designed — at least we’ll be together.
At least we chose this.
