_Kael's POV_
The warlock’s eyes narrowed like blades.
I felt the air tighten between us. His breath hitched, then came in slow and controlled draws. His lips moved. I didn’t know the words, but the sound of them scraped against my bones like claws on stone. The magic in them prickled over my skin.
Shit.
Morana’s voice sliced into my mind like a whip. “Move!”
But I couldn’t....not without making it worse. If I stepped, he would hear me. If I breathed too hard, he would smell me.
Valric’s growl filled my head. You fool. You had one job.
Shut up, I snapped back but the shame burned. My pulse thundered in my ears. My wolf wanted to bare teeth, to rip the threat apart, but we couldn’t. Not here. Not now.
The warlock’s chant grew sharper and faster. His hand rose. His fingers were curlin
