And he was—
My shoulders sagged, but only for a moment. Suddenly, a giant black web erupted from the ground, twisting around Luke’s forearms.
He didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink.
Just kept staring into my eyes as more strands curled around his torso, legs, and neck.
“No,” I breathed. My feet moved on instinct, running to him.
I summoned my blade mid-stride and slashed at the webbing.
It didn’t cut.
Panic gripped my chest.
I clawed at the strands around his neck, trying to pull him free with my bare hands.
The ground beneath us cracked and buckled—splintering like glass under his feet.
And still, he didn’t try to escape.
Instead, he leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against mine.
“I will be good—so good to you after today.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest.
Real.
Devastating.
Because I knew it was true.
Just as I knew—I still loved him.
Even when I shouldn’t.
“He didn’t cross,” Sebastian said somewhere behind me.
“Get away from him, Kitty. He’s being imprisoned.” Barron added, voice sharp with urgency.
“Kitty!” August was the one who yanked me back, dragging me away from Luke as the earth continued to quake.
And still, Luke smiled.
He never stopped looking at me.
The ground caved in beneath him.
And just before he fell, I heard him again—in my head.
“Have you said your goodbyes yet?”
My breath caught. My eyes widened.
Oh, Hades.
Goodbye.
