LOGINKylanWith my back against a tree, I kept my eyes on the temple.I wanted to know what was happening in there. What Violet was doing, what she was thinking, and feeling wasn't enough. I had to see her.I had to know whether Jorn was going to walk out of that place alive.Now I was stuck out here without a single piece of information, and it was all because of Mister Sorcerer. A scoff left me.That Jason had some nerve. Looking me in the eye and putting a hand up to tell me to wait outside like some little boy. That part might've bothered me the most.Valerius stirred within me and let out a growl.'Serves you right.'He was still angry. I had been the one to shove him down and reach for Baelor, the thing that wanted us both dead. In doing so, I had done the exact thing everyone with any sense had warned me about.We were supposed to be a team, and I had moved on my own. I understood, but he'd have to get over it.When I finally agreed to Baelor’s terms, it wasn't a decision I made lig
VioletMy heart sank the second Jason shook his head.No…He couldn’t possibly tell us that we’d come all this way just to lose him right now. The words caught in my throat before I could get any of them out.A surprised laugh slipped out of Jason. He looked up at us. “For how long has he been like this?”“A few hours,” Dylan muttered.“This is unbelievable,” Jason said, still shaking his head. “He isn’t supposed to be alive anymore.”His gaze moved between Trinity and me. “Did the two of you use the technique I taught you?”Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Trinity’s shoulders drop, and a small smile broke across her face. “Does that mean he’s still alive?”“He’s still alive,” Jason confirmed, taking a breath. And every single one of us let out a breath with him. This was good.“But barely.” Jason was already moving. “We need to be quick. I believe I can save him, but not standing out here. Let’s go.”I tugged Kylan’s hand as we all rushed after him. Jason led the way toward the tem
Violet“He's been expecting you.”Sterling's voice reached me from behind. After some time of walking, we had finally reached the caves. I let go of Kylan's hand and looked farther up the hill.As the entrance came into view, I saw a figure waiting at the mouth of the cave. Even from a distance, I recognized the familiar cloak, his hood down and his hands folded in front of him.Aelius.Suddenly, everything inside me eased at once. It was strange how this cave, and this still scary-looking man who happened to be my grandfather, had somehow become the closest thing to safe I had.I guess every time everything fell apart, this was where we ended up. Me and Kylan. And he was alwaysthere, waiting, just like he had been for Mom. That, together with the talk we'd had the last time I was here, made me feel a little better.It gave me hope.Hope that he'd know what to do, and that Jorn would survive."We need to hurry." I picked up my pace and looked over my shoulder. "Is he still awake?"Jor
VioletThe High Command?I lifted a brow at the unfamiliar term“I have,” Rochwall immediately answered. “The High Command is when the Alpha King issues an order for the Alpha and its pack to obey,” he said. “They can't refuse it, not if it comes from the crown.” His jaw tightened. “It's a forbidden practice...abuse of power, but it exists.”“Correct,” Sterling said.Kylan shifted beside me. “So you think it wasn't only Gloria?”Sterling gave a small shrug. “I think it's worth considering.”My mind started turning it over. If it was the High Command, then someone with a claim to the Common Lands throne was behind those wolves. And the only person I could think of who fit that...Eamon.Was Eamon working with Gloria? And if he was, was he inside that cave, or did he have the privilege of staying outside? No. That was a stupid theory, because otherwise he would've been there and ended everything all at once.“That doesn't make sense,” I said slowly. “The Alpha King hates Gloria...always
VioletTime went by, and by the end of it, everyone knew everything. Rochwall spoke about his past with the Elite Team, Kylan about what happened in Lyperia, Nate about his sister and Sterling about everything but the scroll in his hands.I spoke too. They knew about my identity, Bloodstone Haven, Mom, Dad, who they were, what happened to them, and what Gloria had been doing with them all this time. Baelor and what he was, going all the way back to the beginning.Even Chrystal and the trial had been brought up at some point, and just like that—everyone, mostly Jorn, was up to date.I also told them about my suspicions about the cave, and what might've been above our heads this entire time.The other thing we hadn’t touched in depthwas that thing living inside Kylan. Though after the fight, that part had already become very clear.Jorn took it the hardest. He didn't say much. Not that he could have, with the state he was in, but I watched his face the whole way through and could see h
Violet“Bad news for you,” Jorn groaned. “I’m still alive.”He tried to laugh, but it turned into a painful cough. Rochwall immediately held the back of his head, with Nate helping him. Dylan was crouched beside Trinity, who was still treating the shadow wound.She was focused. Her hands glowed faintly, and she looked exhausted. Sweat lined her hairline, and a few curls clung to her forehead, but she hadn’t stopped.Kylan and I joined them. I wasted no time and placed my hands beside hers to join in. I pulled with her, taking as much of the weight off her as I could. But she had already done such an amazing job that the darkness fighting against us was much weaker now.“Trinity.” I chuckled at her. “You did amazing. Seriously!”She simply shook her head, refusing to accept any praise. “I can do more,” she stated. She pushed harder and pulled another thread of black smoke from the wound. Her hands were trembling, her breathing ragged, but that didn’t stop her.“No, Trin. You are amazing







