25

The library was ancient.

Older than the Forgotten Pack, older than the kingdom itself. The stone walls had been built long before the gods had claimed their thrones, and the air was thick with dust and the weight of secrets.

Selene traced her fingers over the spine of a book that had not been touched in centuries, her silver eyes scanning the faded text beneath her fingertips.

This was the answer.

It had to be.

Alec was gone. Her power was slipping. The gods were tightening their grip.

She needed a way to end this war before it consumed them all.

Lucian leaned against the doorway, his emerald gaze unreadable. “Tell me you found something.”

Selene exhaled. “I think so.”

Kael lounged in a nearby chair, one leg draped over the armrest, his storm-gray eyes flickering with interest. “And is it good news or bad news?”

Selene hesitated.

Because the truth wasn’t just good.

It was catastrophic.

Lucian pushed off the doorway, stepping toward her. “Selene.”

She met his gaze. “The gods can die.”

Silence.

The words hung in the air, heavy, impossible, undeniable.

Kael sat up straight. “I’m sorry—what?”

Selene turned the book toward them, flipping to the faded page where the prophecy was scrawled in ink so old it had nearly disappeared.

“The gods have spent centuries convincing us they’re eternal,” she said. “That they were never born, that they cannot end.” She ran her fingers over the ancient text. “But it’s a lie.”

Lucian took the book from her, his gaze sharp as he scanned the words. “They were made.” His voice was quiet, but edged with something dangerous. “Which means they can be unmade.”

Kael whistled low. “Well. That’s going to piss them off.”

Selene’s fingers curled into fists. “Good.”

Alec had fought them. He had challenged them.

And they had stolen him from her.

Selene lifted her chin, her silver eyes burning.

“They think they can take everything from us.” Her voice was steady, unshaken. “They think they’ll rule forever.”

Kael grinned. “So what’s the plan?”

Lucian closed the book, his emerald eyes meeting hers.

“We end them.”

Selene exhaled slowly, feeling something shift inside her.

Something final.

The gods had ruled for too long.

And now, it was their turn to fall.