Heiko forced his breathing steady, his fury funneling into focus. “Then we seal those cracks. We find the protections our ancestors built and restore them. Whatever it takes.”
Alia gave a sharp nod. “That’s why we’re here. These texts hold fragments of the old rites. Forgotten spells, seals, incantations that once kept the Dark Witches from setting foot in these lands. But they’re scattered, incomplete. We’ll need to piece them together.”
Heiko strode to the table and pulled a heavy tome toward him. “Then we don’t waste time.”
River’s hand slid into his, squeezing gently. “I didn’t tell you last night because I didn’t want to burden you in the middle of the ball’s success. But now? We face this together. All of us.”
He met her gaze, and for a moment, his fury melted into something deep
