Chapter 221

Angus' POV The deeper I went, the quieter the temple became. The sounds of the Veil disappeared behind me one by one until there was nothing left but the echo of my footsteps against the ancient stone. I knew these halls better than anyone. I had walked them centuries ago. Back when this place had been a sanctuary instead of a prison. Back when she had still been free. I stopped at the end of the corridor. The massive stone doors stood before me. They were covered in ancient markings, most of them worn down by time. Wards had been carved into the stone and reinforced over the centuries. I reached toward them. The moment my fingers touched the surface, the symbols began to glow. One after another. The doors groaned. Then they opened. Cold air rushed past me. I stepped inside. The chamber was enormous. The ceiling disappeared into darkness above me. Stone pillars surrounded the center of the room, each one covered in old symbols. And in the middle. The seal. It had

Chapter 222

Atreus' POV Everyone was exhausted, but nobody was resting properly. Wounded wolves occupied the bedrooms and the sitting room. Daywalker Sentinels stood watch throughout the house, while the surviving commanders moved between rooms, checking on their people and trying to piece together what had happened. The estate we'd lost was still burning in my mind. Hannah and Elena were gone. Angus had betrayed us. And no one knew where he'd taken them. I stood near the window, staring out at the dark Los Angeles skyline. We had moved here because we needed somewhere secure. Somewhere the Veil wouldn't immediately think to search. But safety felt like an illusion now. They had found us once. They could find us again. Behind me, Eric ended a phone call. I turned. He lowered the phone slowly. "Elena's parents?" He nodded. "The Alpha King and Queen." "What did they say?" Eric rubbed a hand over his face. "They're sending more wolves." "Good." "They wanted to come themselves."

Chapter 223

Third Person's POV The doors opened with a deep groan. Hannah and Elena were dragged into the chamber. Neither of them had been told where they were going, weakening collars had been snapped around their neck before they were dragged off. The corridors beneath the temple seemed endless, twisting deeper into the earth until even the sounds of the world above disappeared. Hannah stumbled as the Daywalker holding her arm shoved her forward. Elena immediately caught her. "Don't touch her." The Daywalker ignored her. They were brought into a vast circular chamber. Hannah stopped. Her breathing caught. She knew this place. She had never been here. Yet somehow. She knew it. The enormous pillars. The ancient symbols carved into the walls. The blue light glowing beneath the stone. The massive seal at the center of the chamber. Her eyes widened. "No." Elena looked at her. "What?" Hannah stared at the seal. "I've seen this." Elena frowned. "When?" "In my visions." Th

Chapter 224

Third Person's POVFor the first time in centuries, Persephone stood beneath an open sky.She stopped at the entrance of the temple and lifted her face toward the night.The wind moved through her blond hair.She closed her eyes.Freedom.The word barely captured what she felt.Behind her, Angus emerged from the temple.He watched her quietly.For so long, he'd imagined this moment.He'd imagined taking her somewhere far away from the people who had imprisoned her. Somewhere they could disappear and finally live without anyone hunting them.He stepped closer."We should go."Persephone opened her eyes."Go where?""Anywhere you want."She turned toward him."Anywhere?"Angus nodded."It's over now my love. We can leave, there's nothing tying us here anymore. We are finished here"Her expression changed."No."Angus frowned."No?""I haven't."She looked back toward the temple."The seal is broken.""Yes.""I'm free.""Yes."She turned to him."Then I can finally do what I promised mys

Chapter 225

Third Person's POV The Daywalker Council had descended into chaos. For centuries, the Elders had kept their secrets buried beneath layers of laws, traditions, and silence. Now those secrets were coming apart. The ancient prison had been found. Persephone was free. Hannah and Elena were missing. And for the first time in generations, the Council was no longer sure it understood the threat it was facing. Atreus stood in the middle of his estate, staring at the map spread across the table. The Council had finally given them the location. The ancient temple. The underground prison. The place where Hannah and Elena were most likely being held. It wasn't much. But it was something. Eric stood opposite him, studying the marked routes. "We'll need a team at the entrance," he said. "Another group can circle around in case there's another way inside." Anton nodded. "And if the Veil is still there?" "We fight." Devon looked toward Atreus. "You think th

Chapter 226

Third Person's POV The room was silent except for the faint hum of the lights. Persephone stood in front of the tall windows, looking down at the city. Los Angeles stretched beneath her, bright and restless even this late at night. Cars moved along the streets like streams of light. Buildings rose into the darkness, filled with people who had no idea that their world was about to change. For centuries, Persephone had existed beneath the earth. Now she was standing above it. Free. And she had no intention of wasting another moment. Behind her, Hannah and Elena stood perfectly still. Their eyes were open, but something about them was different. The warmth that usually lived in Hannah's expression was gone. So was Elena's familiar spark. They were still there. Somewhere beneath the compulsion. But Persephone had buried those parts beneath layers of commands, distorted memories, and carefully chosen emotions. She hadn't erased them. She had simply changed what they believ