Chapter 44: Gideon’s Sacrifice

I bolted upright, gasping for air as the darkness of unconsciousness faded.

Pain radiated through every nerve, a reminder of the explosion that had thrown me from the chamber.

My vision blurred, but one thought pushed through the haze: Gideon.

I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the agony that shot through my legs, and searched the crumbled ruins of the chamber.

“Gideon!” I screamed, my voice hoarse with panic. The chamber had collapsed, a wall of debris blocking the entrance. My heart pounded as I tore at the rocks, desperate to reach him.

“Sera, stop!” Rowan grabbed my wrist, pulling me back. “You can’t go in there! It’s too dangerous!”

“I have to! He’s still in there!” My voice cracked with desperation as I fought against Rowan’s grip.

“He’s gone, Sera! The entire chamber collapsed—no one could survive that!” His words were firm, but his eyes held the same fear and sorrow that twisted in my gut.

But I couldn’t accept that. Not yet. “No!” I shook my head, pulling free from Rowan’s g