The torchlight, now like an angry sun at my back, meant soldiers were pouring into the tunnels. They were following a trail of blood, ash, and the ghost of my former sanity. experienceBut Kael stood there, a wall at the exit.My brother.His gaze flicked down, lingering on Selene, cradled against me. Her dark hair was plastered to her pale cheek. I felt her pulse, a hummingbird's frantic beat, against my wrist. He took it all in: the ritual burns etched into her arms, the ugly purple bruises circling her throat, even the smear of my own blood staining her skin.His jaw tightened. The muscle jumped.What happened to her? he asked.Get out of my way. My voice was rough, sharp.I can't.The word cracked through the tunnel's silence.For a heartbeat, neither of us moved, neither of us breathed. Just the drip, drip, drip of water.Kael stepped closer. Rainwater beaded in his hair, and his sword hung low, but he didn't sheathe it.“You’re losing blood,” he stated, his voice even, calmer no
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