ny desk, catching the faint, cold light of the

of Binding, the plain stone Shaman's Tools, the torn Photo of Elara, the hidden Sunstone

e Sunstone Pack's existence sacrifices, b

his voice dangerously low as he meticulously wrapped each a

the corresponding 'Truth' on the correct seal to pay the 'Price' and unlock the pa

y ancient wards and the constant sensory presence of Master Jareth. We have to

ed, placing the final artifact in a satchel worn thin b

e asleep, but his Alpha sense is trained to recognize any deviation from the establish

ted Light for invisibility or distraction; the Sunstone would d

aw. "We move as a mated pair performing a required, secret

fur-lined cloaks deep, obsidian black. "Wear this. It dampens our

eep shadow. Kaelen opened the main door with excruciating slowness, ev

r, his massive frame draped in his armored loyalty. He was asleep, head

. "His Pack sense is active. He's listening for the patterns of the

rridor. He walked two paces and then stopped, deliberately shifting his weight. The noise was min

orm. She forced her stride to match Kaelen's, maintaining the specific rhythm of a mate accompanying her Alpha, relying on the cloak to abso

pattern of two but finding no deviation in the intent. They were successfully selling the lie to the watchdog's slee

ered granite, dozens of feet thick. Encircling its base, precisely where Kaelen had

into the deep shadow of an alcove. "If we misplace a single artifact, or attempt to force

he order. The price must be paid sequenti

ven seals. They were identical in size and

analyzing the meaning of the artifacts against the faint etchings on the seals. "We

is weak). This was the accepted, political burden of the Alpha a necessary sacrifice.Kaelen p

orce was secretly drained. This was the Pack's hidden price for survival.Lyra placed

to test purity of intent.Kaelen placed the inert shard on the third s

Sovereignty. The founding commitment of the Pack.Lyra placed the Tript

n healing and ancient magic.Kaelen placed the tools on the fifth seal.

l of a family member.Lyra took the framed photo, the glass cold beneath her fingers. This was deeply per

ing the release of such intense, volatile

Blade of Binding, the weapon used for blood

.The moment the blade touched the bronze, the spire roared.The sickly amber light of the Sunstone Crystal far

ming into the seven seals.Lyra staggered, shielding her eyes. Thi

den, violent tremor shaking the fortress. "It'

er arm. "The energy required to open the Vault is exactly the

rack it dematerialized. Where granite had been, a vertical shaft of swirling, dark Aether opened up. The air rushing out o

could move, the silence of the main hall was obliterated by the terrifyi

. He was sprinting down the steps, his huge form a black blur against the pale granite.Jareth's eyes immediat

THE SACRED VOWS!" Jareth roared, drawing a massive, two-handed sword that

n! Get in the shaft, Lyra! I will follow as

pure, absolute duty. Kaelen had his own, much smaller blade drawn

Kaelen was already engaging the Master of the Guard.The sound of stee

chipped the granite at his feet.Lyra had seconds. If she stayed, they would both be cornered. I

hitting the smooth sides of the shaft as she plummeted.Just as her momentum began to slow, the last thing she heard from above was not the clash of Kaelen's s

same magnetic frequency. Veridian had used the activation of the seven seals as cover to set up an even more powerful, localized amplifier.Lyra twisted