Caitlyn’s boots crunched against the rocky floor as she led the small, elite unit down into the dark tunnels beneath the mountain. The air was thick with humidity, the oppressive warmth curling around her like an ancient presence, whispering secrets from the stones themselves. Raymond walked beside her, his hand never straying far from hers, his eyes always on her, unwavering in their quiet support. Kane and Bree flanked them, their expressions hard and focused. Every step they took was calculated, every breath measured. They knew the stakes. They had come too far to fail now.

Their weapons, light-bonded and forged with Caitlyn’s blood, pulsed with a quiet hum. Selene...