Rian struggled to hold on.
His nose bled freely now. The backlash of broken wards, corrupted runes. He couldn't even breathe without pain shooting down his spine.
Rian pressed his forehead to the shell, voice cracking. "I'm here. I've got you. I swear—I won't let him take you."
The egg gave no words. Just a pulse of emotion so pure it stole his breath.
Help me.
"I'm trying," he whispered. "Gods, I'm trying."
The mage laughed then, cold and triumphant. "Too late."
A final word left his lips, ancient and sharp.
Lightning struck the roof again, splitting stone. Rubble fell like rain. Rian threw himself over the egg as part of the ceiling caved in. He gasped as rock slammed into his shoulder, biting through flesh.
He couldn't see. Could barely think. But through the storm, he felt the egg—its heart racing. Cracks spreading.
And then—
It screamed.
