Vaelin's POV
We crept closer to where Lyra was being held, every sense dialed up to max. But the second we got there, we ran smack into a wall of guards—dozens of them, eyes locked on us like predators sizing up prey.
“No way,” I growled under my breath, scanning the whole perimeter. “We’re not getting through that.”
Soren’s jaw tightened, pure determination carved into his face. “We’ve got to try. She’s waiting for us.”
Thorian’s eyes narrowed, mind clearly spinning through options. “There’s got to be an opening somewhere. Let’s split and look for a weak spot.”
We tried circling around to flank them, but it was useless. The guards were everywhere—thick, endless, like they’d been waiting for us.
My patience finally broke. I strode straight toward them, fists clenched, eyes burning. “
