LOGINFor a beat, no one spoke. Then, he lowered Kaelani gently until her feet touched the ground, but he didn’t let go—his fingers slipping into hers, holding on like it was the most natural thing in the world. Kaelani’s gaze dropped to their hands. The contact stilled something inside her. No one ha
“You do.” He let his gaze drop—just for a second—to the space between them, the inches that still separated them. Then back to her. “But I meant it when I said I’d never leave you again… that was real.” A brief pause—not for effect, but because he meant it. “Not when it’s hard. Not when it’s me
Kaelani’s smile hit him harder than anything else had. For the first time, it was meant for him. Julian stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him and shutting out everything beyond it—the chaos, the noise, all of it. In here— was his peace. His heart. His whole world. He move
The room. The light. The faces. A breath caught in his chest. “Kaelani…?” His focus sharpened. His room. His packhouse. Familiar walls and scent. But something was wrong. His gaze moved quickly—his mother at his side, Jace by the window. No Kaelani. Julian pushed himself upright, pain tear
She didn’t look at him. “Julian Hale… fugitive status removed.” Another keystroke. “Jace Romano… fugitive status removed.” Her fingers paused for a fraction of a second before continuing. “Garrick Blake… charges dropped.” A quiet tap followed. “Release scheduled for… tomorrow morning.” Then—
A brief pause. “Am I wrong?” Councilor Voss didn’t answer. He simply watched her for a moment longer before speaking. “What is it that you want?” Kaelani held the room for a moment. “What I wanted the day I stood before you in the Chamber of Elders,” she said. “What I asked for then.” “To liv
Gold detonated from the spearheads in a unified blast — streams of concentrated power tearing through the air and slamming directly into Draevyn. The impact should have crushed him. For a heartbeat… it seemed to. His body jerked. Light engulfed him. He staggered back a step as energy tore acros
Kaelani strained against the roots, muscles trembling, fury blazing in her eyes even as the living restraints forced her into submission. The courtyard lay in violent disarray. Stone tables had been overturned or hurled aside, some shattered completely, their broken legs jutting from the ground li
Draevyn’s expression smoothed into something eerily calm. “Very well,” he said. His hand lifted. Darkness answered. Shadow spilled from his fingers in a violent surge — not drifting, not creeping, but striking. A living force that tore across the courtyard and slammed into the Seers with mercile
Her eyes flicked once more toward the glowing fractures beneath their feet. “It’s been staring everyone right in the face.” Silence spread outward like a ripple. Draevyn blinked. For the first time since she had known him — truly blinked, as though he was completely blindsided. Confusion c







