Astraea stepped through the silver rift and Zhilak's heart stopped.Elysia's knife was already moving. Miranda flanked left. Both striking for vital points.Astraea caught both blades between two fingers. Didn't even look."Aggressive. I like that." She released the weapons. "But unnecessary. I'm not here to fight.""Then why are you here?" Zhilak positioned himself between her and his friends. The leash in his chest burned."To collect what's mine." Astraea pointed at the Subjugation fragments scattered in the sand. "Those pieces are bleeding power. Destabilizing local reality. I'm doing you a favor."The Brighton soldiers regrouped. Their leader struggled to his feet, chest still smoking from Zhilak's blast. "Lady Astraea. The Brighton family offers tribute if you'll—"She waved her hand. He ceased speaking. Couldn't. His mouth opened and closed silently."I don't negotiate with mortals who exploit children." She walked to the kid lying in the sand. Checked their pulse. "This one wi

Harlan smiled. "Elara has been... cooperative. Cleaning chambers. Cooking meals. Living as a servant in her own home. Because I threatened to kill you if she resisted." "I'm already dead to you. You said so yourself." "I lied. I always knew you'd survive. You're too stubborn to die." Harlan gestured. Guards entered, dragging Kaelin and the others. All bound. All bruised. "So here's my offer. Take over the Marston name. Become the heir. And I release everyone. Your mother lives in comfort. Your friends go free." "And if I refuse?" "I execute them. Starting with your mother. Make you watch. Then I trigger the deadman seal in my vault." Harlan's smile widened. "The one that destroys everything inside if my heart stops while active. Including the Aether seed you're really here for." The leash in Zhilak's chest constricted. Hard. Astraea was listening. And she was not pleased. "You'd destroy the seed?" Zhilak forced the words out. "That dooms everyone. The seal fails, the Consume brea

Kaelin spat blood on the safehouse floor. "You want to recruit Veyra? The woman who mind-controlled half the city?""Yes." Zhilak pressed his hand to the stone wall. Felt the seed's power humming through him. Through the rock. Through everything connected to Aether. "She reformed Subjugation completely. We need that.""She'll betray us first chance she gets.""Probably. But the Consume breaks free in three weeks. Maybe less. Betrayal is a problem for later."Miranda cleaned her knives. "The Conclave won't work with us. Lysander thinks you're compromised. A threat.""Then we convince him otherwise.""How?"Zhilak looked at his reformed chains. Red, blue, gold woven together. No silver threads anymore. The leash was gone but the memory burned. "By showing him what I can do now."Elysia's hand found his shoulder. "The seed changed you. I can feel it. You're different.""I'm stronger.""That's not what I mean." Her eyes searched his face. "You're colder. More distant. Like part of you sta

The Consume's prison felt different from inside. Not a cage. A womb.Zhilak hit the ground hard. His chains blazed. The seed pulsed in his chest. Kayrwin landed beside him, Dominion crown flaring."You trapped us both," Astraea's voice came through Kayrwin. "Clever. Stupid. But clever.""Shut up." Zhilak stood. His pulse hammered. "I want to talk to my brother. Not you.""They're the same now.""Are they?" Zhilak looked at Kayrwin's face. Searched for something human. "Tell me. Did she force you or did you really choose this?"Kayrwin's expression flickered. "Does it matter?""Yes.""Why? So you can feel superior? The noble brother trying to save the corrupted one?" His voice went harsh. "I don't need saving. I need power. And Astraea gave it to me.""She gave you a leash. Just like she gave me.""No. She gave me Dominion. The real crown. Not a fragment." Kayrwin touched the white metal on his head. "This is partnership. Not slavery."The Consume shifted around them. Its massive form

Three weeks passed. Zhilak recovered slowly. His body repaired but something fundamental had changed. Every time he reached for his power, he felt the absence. Dominion was gone. The seed remained but muted. Weakened. Elysia stayed close. Training him back to strength. They sparred in the Conclave's practice yards while Wardens watched nervously. "You're holding back," she said. Her knife came fast. He blocked. Barely. "I'm not." "You are. You're afraid of the power now." She swept his legs. He hit the mat hard. "You absorbed a god's heart. Wore reality-controlling crowns. And now you're fighting like you're systemless again." "Maybe I am." "Stop it." She helped him up. "You saved everyone. You're allowed to be weak for a minute. But don't make it permanent." Miranda appeared at the practice yard entrance. "Lysander wants you. Something's happened." They