The journey to the High Circle was silent—tense, like the land itself knew something ancient was stirring.
The mountain path twisted through fog and craggy cliffs, and though Kael kept his usual cold expression, I saw the way his hand stayed close to his blade the whole way. Not that a sword could protect me from what was happening inside. The thread linking me to Varek tugged harder with each step, like he knew we were coming for help… and was daring us to try.
We reached the stone gates just after sunrise.
Towering structures loomed before us, carved with runes older than any Alpha's reign. This was sacred ground—neutral territory that no pack, no matter how powerful, dared claim. The Elders were the law before the laws even had names.
Kael knocked once.
Twice.
Then a third time, his knuckles ringing against the stone like thunder.
The doors groaned open slowly.
A hooded figure stepped out. Her eyes glowed faint silver beneath her cowl, marking her as one of the Seers.
"Kael of the Crimson Moon. Aria of the Broken Lineage," she said, her voice as dry as wind through dead trees. "We felt you coming."
Kael stepped forward. "We seek an audience."
"You do not seek," she replied sharply. "You beg."
My spine stiffened at her tone, but I kept my mouth shut. Kael had warned me before we came—no sass, no defiance. The Elders wouldn't tolerate it.
"We'll pay what price is asked," he said, jaw clenched.
"Will you?" she asked, turning to me now. "Even if it costs more than either of you can afford?"
Her gaze lingered on my chest, where the thread's magic pulsed under my skin like a bruise.
"You are marked by darkness," she said. "Stained by it."
"I didn't choose this," I snapped before I could stop myself.
"And yet it chose you," she murmured.
The gates opened wider.
"Then enter. But know this: The Circle gives nothing freely."
Kael gave me a nod, and we stepped into the stone halls.
Inside, the air was thick with incense and power. A dozen Elders sat in a half-circle, robes draped like shadows over their aged frames. I felt small—smaller than I ever had—even with Kael beside me.
The center Elder, a man with white eyes and a scar across his throat, leaned forward.
"You come to sever a forbidden thread," he said.
"Yes," Kael answered.
"Do you understand the cost?"
"Name it."
The Elder tilted his head toward me. "Her soul is bound to another. The magic lingers not just in flesh—but spirit. Severing such a bond will rip more than just memory. It will rip truth."
I swallowed. "What does that mean?"
"It means," the Seer from before answered, "You may lose who you are. Your powers. Your strength. Your bond."
She glanced at Kael.
"Even him."
My stomach turned.
The Elders gave us no time to process. Another stepped forward, laying a twisted relic on the floor. It pulsed with dark red light.
"To sever what has been tied, one must sacrifice what has not yet bloomed," he said.
Kael growled low in his throat. "Say it plainly."
"You must give up your bond before it is complete. Break your claim on each other… or risk losing everything to him."
Silence filled the chamber.
Kael looked at me. "It's your choice."
I met his gaze. "If I break the bond, will it save me?"
"No," the Elder replied. "But it will give you a chance to fight him… as you, not as what he made you."
And in that moment, I understood.
Varek wasn't just trying to take me. He was trying to rewrite me.
I turned to Kael. My heart twisted. "We never asked for this bond."
"No," he said, voice raw. "But I wanted it. I still do."
I touched his hand—just once—and stepped back.
"Then let me fight for it. On my terms."
He nodded once.
The Seers stepped forward.
The ritual began.
Light exploded in every direction, searing through me, ripping, burning, unraveling the magic that had tied me to both of them. I screamed as something ancient and sacred was torn free.
And when it was done…
I collapsed.
Kael caught me before I hit the ground.
"You did it," he whispered, brushing my hair back.
"No," I said, staring up at the fading light.
"I started it."