Page 117 of Night Fae

Prince Ashelon barked orders to his remaining guards, who spread out to secure the perimeter of the chamber.

"We have little time," the Prince declared. "The entity stirs beneath our feet."

Malik moved closer to Zev, his voice low. "Do you trust them?"

"Never," Zev growled, his hand moving to his dagger. "This is exactly how they work, by creating chaos, then positioning themselves as the solution."

Knox stepped forward, placing himself between the Night Court contingent and their group. "Why should we believe anything you say? For all we know, you orchestrated this."

Prince Ashelon turned to him. "If we wanted reality destroyed, we would simply wait. Your distrust, while predictable, wastes what little time remains."

Before anyone could respond, a violent tremor shook the temple.

Malik yelped, and even Zev almost fell over.

The floor beneath them cracked, shadows spilling through the fissures like bubbling liquid.

One of the Night Court guards was too slow to move—the ground opened beneath him, swallowing him in a flash of energy that left nothing behind, not even a scream.

"What was that?" Daniel cried, clutching Caelen's arm.

Leon staggered, the silver energy around him pulsing erratically. "The deity is pushing through the weakening barriers. It's happening faster than Yuri predicted."

Another violent tremor sent them all struggling for balance. Near the temple's entrance, columns began to crumble.

"We need to act now," Ashelon insisted, his usual arrogance tempered by genuine urgency. "Or there will be nothing left to argue over."

"The center seal is activating on its own," Leon pointed to the intensifying pattern on the floor. "The four of us need to take positions before it's fully awake."

Zev still hesitated, years of survival instinct screaming at him not to follow his family's direction. But Malik's hand found his, squeezing gently.

"I don't trust them," Malik whispered. "But I trust Leon. And I trust you to protect me if this is a trap."

Another section of the temple collapsed inward, reality warping around the impact point. Night Court guards scrambled to avoid being pulled into the distortion.

"We have no choice," Knox acknowledged reluctantly.

Leon moved toward the ritual circle without waiting for them. "Stand with your partners!"

Zev's jaw tightened. "And what about you?"

"He carries the Barrier Keeper's power now," Lady Morvena answered. "He will stand alone."

Zev shot her a glare, cut off by a massive crack that split the ceiling and rained debris onto the temple floor.

Caelen pulled Daniel closer, his voice raised over the growing chaos. "Your forces should maintain the perimeter. Whatever's trying to break through may send manifestations to stop us."

The Prince inclined his head in agreement and barked out orders.

Malik tugged on Zev's arm, pulling him toward the ritual circle as the others began to move as well.

Zev's eyes never left his father and grandmother. They might be cooperating now, but he knew them too well to believe their motives were pure.

The four humans took their positions at the cardinal points of the central seal. Daniel to the north, Adrian to the east, Malik to the south, and Leon to the west. Caelen stood behind Daniel, his hands on his mate's shoulders. Knox positioned himself similarly behind Adrian, while Zev reluctantly let himself be guided to the southern position by Malik.

"What do we do now?" Malik asked as blue light began to swirl around their feet.

"Focus on the center," Leon instructed, the silver energy from Yuri still pulsing around him. "Feel the connection to your Veridian partner and channel it toward the seal."