Page 98 of Zayrik

His expression didn’t change.

But something in his eyes shifted.

Darkened.

The knife pressed into my skin.

A shallow cut. Enough to burn. Enough to draw blood.

Not enough to kill.

Not yet.

Because Vask didn’t know the crystal wasn’t with me.

Didn’t know what was coming for him.

I locked my gaze on his, refusing to blink. Refusing to hand over even an inch of ground.

Through our bond, I drew on Zayrik’s strength. His rage. Hiscertaintythat he would find me.

Vask hummed. “You always were stubborn.”

He twisted the knife just slightly. A warning. A promise.

Each movement precise. Practiced.

Like he’d done this a thousand times before.

Then he pulled back.

Not because he was done.

Because he was patient.

He thought he had all the time in the galaxy to break me.

He didn’t know about the bond that burned hotter with every second.

Didn’t know about the warship descending.

Didn’t know Zep, hurt or not, was still breathing beside me.

Still fighting in his own small, quiet way.

Pain slammed through me, searing hot and unrelenting.

I wasn’t sure which hit had done the most damage.

Didn’t matter.

I wasn’t giving him what he wanted.

Through our connection, I felt Zayrik’s resolve crystallize.

I felt his transition into something dangerous.

I forced my legs to hold steady.

---