"And me?" Kael's voice was tight. Controlled. But I felt the storm through our bond.
"You're with me."
"What?"
"In the trap. With the monster. Someone needs to activate the runes while I distract it."
"Someone needs to—" He stood so fast his chair fell backward. "You're asking me to watch you face that thing while I work on runes?"
"I'm asking you to trust me. To work with me. To be my partner in this."
Our eyes met. Understanding passed between us. He didn't like it. Hated it, actually. But he understood.
The alternative was worse. Were all of us dying?
"Together," he said finally. The word forced out.
"Always."
The council continued.
Plans within plans. Backup strategies. Evacuation routes for non-combatants. Medical triage stations. Supply lines.
Contingencies for if the t
