ARIA'S POVThe temple reekd of scorched stone. Aria staggered back from the altar, her knees weak, her arm still burning from the sigil's glow. Below, in the crypt, Kael's laughter reverberated, rich and hungry, as if the breaking of his chain had given him life again.The High Priestess stood rigid, staff clutched so tightly her knuckles whitened. She hissd a prayer under her breath, sealing wards across the craked floor. "He's feeding on you," she spat, her voice venomous. " Every breath, every wealness, makes him stronger. You've doomed us all."Aria opened her mouth to deny it--but the truth coiled in her chest. She had called. She had whispered his name like plea. And he answered.Mine, Kael purred in her head, vlvet and fire. Don't listen to her lies, witch. You feel it, don't you. The heat, the hunger. You need me as much as I need you.Aria clutched her head, stumbling away from the prietess. "Get out of my mind!"But his presence only pressed closer, intoxicating. You wanted
Last Updated : 2025-09-20 Read more