e. Auren's boots pounded the stone corridor, her pulse a war drum in her ears. Gavric led the way, his sword glinting l

ghost refusing to stay buried. "Stay away from him, Auren." The words were a brand, searing her with questions she wasn't ready to face.

ials carved like a curse. Her scar throbbed, and she felt Kael's gaze, heavy as a touch, tracing her every move. He hadn't spoken since the greenhouse, since her magic and his curse had collided, blooming roses only to burn them to ash. But his hand hovered near her elbow, not touching, as if he feared

They reached the great hall, a cavern of stone and sorrow, its vaulted ceiling lost in darkness. Stained-glass windows loomed, their colors muted by the storm outside, depicting warriors and lover

d, his voice urgent, his fingers lingering on her sleeve.Auren pulled free, her breath ragged. "Nothing you'd like," she snapped, but her eyes betrayed her, wide with fear. Rowan's voice, his warning-

rd raised. "The wards are anchored here. If they break-"He didn't finish. The shadows moved, not cast but alive, pooling like ink at the mosaic's edge. A low hum r

aching for a dagger at his belt. But the shadows lunged, faster than thought, and Gavric swung, his blade passing through them like smoke. Auren's magic flared, and

as just him-his heartbeat, his breath, his eyes wide with terror. "Auren," he said, his voice breaking, and her name in his mouth

almost a whisper, and the ghost of a smile touched his lips.Gavric cursed, his sword still raised. "The wards are cracked," he said, pointing to the mosaic, where the rose's tiles were splintered, oozing a black ichor that smelled of decay. "We need to seal them, or the manor's done for."Auren's magic hummed, guiding her to the mosaic. She knelt, h

dened, and for a moment, the hall was silent, the shadows holding their breath. "Me?" he said, his voice raw, as if

twitched, his hands flexing as if fighting a war within. "You don't know what you're asking," he said, but he stepped closer, his presence a tide pulling her under. "If I hurt you-""You won't," Aur

er, his arms wrapping around her, and their combined power surged, a supernova of light and dark that burned the shadows to nothing. The mosaic sealed, the hum fading, but Auren's strength ebbed, her body cold, her scar burning like a brand."Stay with me," Kael said, his voice a lifeline

ed," he said, his voice low. "We need a ritual, or she's gone by dawn."Kael's eyes darkened, his scar stark against his pale skin. "Then we do it," he said, his voice steel, but his hands trembled as he lifted Auren, cradling her like something precious, something he'd already lost.As he c

n it. And as Kael carried her into the unknown, the manor's doors slammed sh