Raymond's POV

Raymond stood at the center of the ancient ruins, the full moon overhead casting its eerie glow across the stones. The ritual he was about to complete was forbidden—lost to time, buried in the ancient texts of his people—but it was his only chance to bring Caitlyn back. There was no turning back now.

His hands trembled as he placed the bloodstone in front of him, its dark surface gleaming under the moonlight. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of what he was about to do pressing down on him. The air was thick with the scent of earth and burning herbs, and the flames of...