Page 83 of Blood Marked

Barely breathing. But not dead.

Yet.

Varyn was slumped against the stone altar, one arm twisted unnaturally, blood staining his once-immaculate robes. His face looked like Kael had dragged it through a mountain—twice. But even now, even broken, he smirked when he saw them.

“You came back,” he rasped. “How poetic.”

Selene stepped forward, Kael’s shadow at her back. “You talk too much.”

He coughed, a rattling sound. “And you love too blindly.”

Kael’s blade was at his throat before he blinked.

“Careful,” Kael growled. “My mercy is thinner than your spine.”

Varyn laughed. “You think you’ve won?” he slurred. “This isn’t about me. It never was.”

Selene’s fingers twitched at her side. She could feel the Veil’s pulse through the earth again—still active. Still open.

Varyn saw her gaze.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” he said. “You can feel it. Youarethe bridge.”

Kael growled, blade digging deeper.

But Selene stepped between them.

Not to protect Varyn. Toendhim.

“You wanted to use me,” she said, voice cold. “To hollow me out. To bleed my bloodline dry and wear it like armor.”

She knelt, meeting his eyes.

“But I’m not your bridge,” she whispered. “I’m your fucking reckoning.”

Magic sparked in her veins, pure, ancient,hers.

She lifted her hand. The Veil rippled.

Varyn’s smile faltered. “Wait?—”

The power surged from her, silver-blue and searing, a tidal wave that didn’t burn—itunwound.

Veil-threaded light burst from her palms, weaving around Varyn like rope made of memory and flame. It bound him to the altar. Itunmadehim from the inside out, peeling back his magic, his voice, his venom.

He screamed. And Selene watched. No pity. No regret. Only clarity. She wasn’t a pawn anymore. She wasn’t Kael’s weakness.

She was aqueen.

When the light faded, only ash remained. Silence followed.

Kael exhaled behind her. “Holy hells,” he said.

Selene swayed.

He caught her instantly, arms strong, grounding her again. “You okay?”

She looked up at him. “I will be,” she said. “If we end this right.”

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