His eyes turned to ice, his smile dropping into something much more malevolent. “There is,” he said, and his voice was like rime on steel. “His submission. His utter andplete obedience to my conditions. No bargaining, nopromise. Either he epts or he dies.”


    Kaida crossed her arms and I looked from Orion to her. She winked at me and I felt my stomach turn. I wanted to punch her in the eyes, but my hands were tied. I gritted my teeth and looked away.


    Trajan, rigid at my side, clenched his fists. His jaw clenched as if to bite back words that would snap in two, but he said nothing, leaving this vtile confrontation to me.


    “And if he doesn’t?” I asked, barely above a whisper.


    Orion cocked his head; his sharp gaze bored into mine. His smile returned, cruel and triumphant. “Then you watch him. suffer until hisst breath.”


    The words cut through me, and I could feel the sting of the tears. threatening to spill.


    I quickly blinked them away, not about to show weakness, though what was in my heart was barely bearable.


    “You are a monster,” I said, shaking with my anger and anguish.


    Kaida cuts in with augh so soft, it was almost a mocking thing, as if she delighted in my misery. “And you, Luna, are desperate. That’s a dangerousbination, don’t you think?”


    I moved closer to her, my voice low, even. “You underestimate what desperation can pull off.”


    Kaida lifted an eyebrow, the flicker of genuine interest dancing across her features. “Do I? Or is it you who underestimates me?


    I fought to find words that would move her, but her presence was overwhelming.


    Before I could utter a word, Orion raised his hand, the finality and edge in his tone slicing the air.


    “You have until nightfall to decide. But remember, every moment you waste gets him closer to death.” Orion said and


    walked back to his seat.


    Kaida motioned for me to leave her voice harsh first then politeness resumed. “Now go, Luna. Make preparation for the consequences of your choices… whatever it may be.”


    I spun on one heel, not wanting her to see the battle across my face. Trajan followed silently, tension in his steps matching the storming of my chest.


    Evelyn’stood behind, I could tell she was ring at Kaida. “Evelyn,” I called and soon I heard her foot shuffle and she followed us.


    My head was racing with alternatives, each one more futile than


    thest.


    The silence between us stretched as we walked, the crunch of leaves beneath our boots the only sound.


    Finally, Trajan spoke, his voice low but steady. “Aurora, what’s the n?”


    I didn’t turn at once, my eyes stuck on the darkness spread out before me where the forest continued. “She’s right,” I growled. “I am desperate. But I won’t let it stop me.


    Heid a firm hand on my shoulder and jerked me to a stop.


    “Desperation isn’t weakness if it spurs you toward wise action. We have time. Not much. But enough to figure it out.”


    I shook my head, my voice breaking. “Time? She’s counting every second we waste. I can feel Dane slipping away, either way.”