POV: Kai

"If I stay with you, will it all end?"

Nova's question hung in the air between us like a blade. She looked at me with eyes that had given up, eyes that had decided love wasn't worth the cost.

I'd never been more terrified in my life.

"No," I said firmly. "Staying with me won't end it. But leaving won't either. The only thing that ends this is destroying the man who started it."

"You can't—"

"Watch me." I stood up, pulling out my phone. "I've been playing defense since I came back. Protecting you, shielding you, trying to minimize damage. But that's not how you win wars....