33

The artifact pulsed in Kael’s hand, humming with a power that was never meant to be wielded by mortals.

Selene stood across from him in the dim torchlight of the ancient chamber, her silver eyes dark with warning. “Kael. Don’t.”

Kael smirked, but it didn’t reach his storm-gray eyes. “You say that like I ever listen.”

Lucian stood at Selene’s side, his emerald gaze unreadable, but his body was tense. “This isn’t a gamble you can win.”

Kael exhaled slowly, turning the artifact over in his hands. It was smaller than he had expected—just a silver coin, etched with symbols so ancient they burned to look at. It didn’t seem like much, but he had felt its power the moment he had stolen it.

It was forbidden.

It could undo things that weren’t meant to be undone.

And it was the only chance they had left.

Selene’s voice was sharp. “If you use it, you might not survive.”

Kael met her gaze. “And if I don’t, Alec stays dead.”

Silence.

Lucian exhaled through his nose, his jaw tight. “You don’t even know if it will work.”

Kael laughed, but it was hollow. “That’s the fun part, isn’t it?”

Selene stepped closer, her hands curling into fists at her sides. “Kael—”

Kael’s grin faded. “I have to try.”

Selene looked at him then, really looked at him. And for the first time, Kael saw fear in her eyes.

Not for herself.

Not even for Alec.

But for him.

His chest tightened, but he forced himself to breathe. He couldn’t let her stop him.

He had lost too much already.

They all had.

He turned the coin between his fingers, feeling the way it vibrated, sensing the sheer impossibility of what he was about to do.

Lucian exhaled sharply. “We should at least try to understand how it works before you—”

Kael cut him off. “No time for that.”

And then—

Before either of them could stop him—

Kael flipped the coin.

The world ripped apart.

A pulse of pure energy exploded outward, the walls of the chamber shaking violently, cracks splintering through the stone like veins of lightning.

Selene shouted, reaching for him—

But Kael was already falling.

Not physically. Not in any way that could be measured.

He was being pulled.

Through time. Through space. Through something much older than either.

And then—

Kael opened his eyes.

He was somewhere else.

A place between life and death.

The air was thick with shadows and whispers, the sky a swirling void of silver and black. The ground beneath him didn’t exist—not in any way he understood—but somehow, he was standing.

And in the distance—

Alec.

Kael’s breath caught. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Alec turned.

His golden eyes widened, his expression flickering between confusion and frustration.

Kael let out a disbelieving laugh. “You absolute idiot.”

Alec blinked. “I’m the idiot?”

Kael gestured around them. “Where the hell are we?”

Alec exhaled sharply. “No clue. I was hoping someone else would figure it out.”

Kael groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. “You’re telling me you’ve been wandering around in purgatory waiting for a damn rescue?”

Alec smirked. “I had faith you’d come get me.”

Kael hated him so much sometimes.

He took a step forward, but the ground beneath him rippled, resisting.

Alec frowned. “You shouldn’t be here.”

Kael scoffed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Alec’s golden eyes darkened. “No. I mean you can’t be here.” He exhaled. “You’re still alive, Kael.”

Kael forced a smirk, but it felt strained. “Not for long if this plan goes sideways.”

Alec’s expression hardened. “Tell me you didn’t.”

Kael grinned. “Of course I did.”

Alec cursed under his breath. “You reckless—”

Kael cut him off. “Selene needs you.”

Alec stilled.

His breath hitched, but his expression remained unreadable. “She’s alive?”

Kael rolled his eyes. “Obviously.” His smirk faded. “But she’s not Selene without you.”

Alec inhaled sharply.

Kael exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I’m not exactly the sentimental type, but you have to go back. This place? It’s not for you.”

Alec studied him for a long moment.

Then, quietly— “And what about you?”

Kael hesitated.

Because he knew.

He knew the price.

One life for another.

The coin had already decided.

And Kael was not the chosen one.

Alec’s golden eyes narrowed. “Kael.”

Kael smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Relax. I’m not planning on sticking around.”

Alec took a step forward, his voice sharp. “Kael.”

Kael moved first.

He shoved Alec back—

And took his place.

Alec’s roar of fury shook the void. “KAEL—”

But it was too late.

Kael let go.

And then—

The world swallowed him whole.

—

Selene screamed.

One second, Kael had been standing in front of her, flipping the artifact like he had all the time in the world—

The next—

Alec was there.

Lucian cursed, stepping forward, grabbing Alec’s arm as if to anchor him to reality. “What the hell—”

But Selene wasn’t looking at Alec.

She was looking at Kael.

Or where he had been.

Her breath shook.

“No.”

Lucian stilled, following her gaze. “No.”

Alec’s golden eyes widened.

Realization hit him like a blade to the chest.

“No.”

Selene’s pulse pounded in her ears, drowning out every other sound.

The artifact fell to the ground, its glow fading into nothing.

Kael was gone.

And the world would never be the same.