The Fated Series
The rod clattered into the black water.
Tristan surged forward, catching her before she fell. His arms wrapped around her, fierce, trembling, holding her to him as though the world might shatter if he let go.
“You killed him,” he whispered, disbelief tangled with pride and anguish.
Her head dropped against his chest, exhaustion overtaking her. “I had to.”
Behind them, Jalen slumped against the wall, blood still spreading from the knife wound in his chest, his breaths shallow and erratic.
The fortress groaned around them—alarms wailing, footsteps echoing above. The war outside still raged. But here, in the bowels of Green Briar, one battle had ended.