Vale's POV
My hands shook as I held the ceremonial dagger.
One hour to decide if I wanted to live or die. One hour to choose between saving my friends and losing myself forever.
"Vale," Papa's weak voice made me turn around. "What are you thinking about doing?"
I couldn't tell him the truth. That I was considering a ritual that would either kill me or turn me into something inhuman. That his little girl might disappear forever in the next sixty minutes.
"Just fixing things, Papa," I said, trying to smile.
"Don't lie to your old man," he replied, struggling to sit up. "I know that look. You're planning something dangerous."
Through the blood bond connection, I could feel the controlled kings getting impatient. Their dark magic pressed against my mind like hungry wolves.
"There might be a way to free everyone," I admitted. "But it's risky."
"How risky?" Dante asked, moving closer to me.
