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I took a step closer, my voice low, sharp. “You said she’s alive. You said they’re bleeding her. Testing her.” The words tasted like ash in my mouth. “And now you’re telling me I can’t save her?”

“Not alone.” Kael’s gaze didn’t waver, but there was something in it… regret, maybe. Or pity. I hated it.

“She doesn’t have time for us to sit here and plan, Kael!” My voice cracked. I didn’t care. “Every second I stand here, they’re draining her.”

“And every second you don’t listen is another step closer to getting her and yourself killed!” Kael snapped back.

I bared my fangs, the predator in me clawing for control. “You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

His words hit like ice, sharp and cutting.

Kael stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I’ve seen their numbers, Lucas. The camp is crawling with shifters and vampires. Not just rogues—trained fighters. Guards, watchers, scouts. They’re prepared for you.”

I shook my head. “You think I care about their numbers?”

“You should.”

“I don’t.”

Kael exhaled, frustrated. “Damn it, Lucas. She needs you alive.”

His words cut deeper than I expected. I looked away, my jaw tight.

“She’s too well-guarded,” Kael said, his voice softer now. “You can’t walk in there and take them all down. Not even with me at your side.”

I turned back to him, my hands trembling. “Then what the hell am I supposed to do?”

Kael’s eyes darkened. “We wait. For now.”

I shoved him back, fury roaring through me. “Wait? While they bleed her? While they prepare their damned ritual?”

He didn’t fight back. Just stood there, letting me burn.

“I can’t wait,” I said, my voice breaking. “I can’t—”

Kael grabbed my shoulder. Tight. Steady. “You can.”

I tried to shake him off, but his grip held firm.

“You have to,” he said. “Because this isn’t just about Annika anymore. If they finish this ritual… if they wake Aurelius… this world burns.”

I froze.

I hated him for saying it. Hated that he was right.

Annika was my world. But if Aurelius rose, there wouldn’t be anything left to save. Not her. Not me. Not anyone.

“Go back and seek allies,” he urged. “As soon as you can. As many as you can.”

“But they’ll kill her,” I shook my head desperately.

“They won’t,” he assured me. “They need more blood than you can imagine for their wicked machinations. They bleed her every few days, then they let her rest.”

“I’ll kill them!” I roared, feeling rage take hold of me.

“And you will,” he assured me, tightening his grip on my shoulder. “But only if you are smart.”