The moment Elysia Draymore stood, Kael felt it—a pulse in the air, like static before a lightning strike.

  Her violet eyes gleamed with something otherworldly, a slow ripple of energy coiling around her fingers. The restraints on her wrists cracked, splintering apart as if they could no longer contain her.

  Lyria tensed. “Oh, that’s not normal.”

  Kael took a slow step forward, hands raised. “Hey, easy there. We’re the good guys.”

  Elysia’s gaze flicked between them, assessing, calculating. Then, just as quickly as it came, the energy faded. She rolled her shoulders, stretching her arms.

  “You took your time,” she murmured.

  Phantom’s expression remained unreadable. “You were expecting us.”

  Elysia smirked. “I was expecting someone.”

  Lyria huffed. “Well, you’re welcome.”

  Kael shot Phantom a look. You sure about this?

  Phantom met his gaze and nodded.

  Kael sighed. “Alright, princess, time to move. This whole place is about to come down on our heads.”

  Elysia raised an eyebrow. “I’m not a princess.”

  Kael grinned. “Then start acting like a fugitive.”

  They barely made it three steps before the first alarm blared.

  A deep, mechanical howl echoed through the corridors, followed by the rapid thudding of boots.

  Lyria cursed. “Damn it! We were supposed to have more time!”

  Phantom moved first. “No choice now. Follow me!”

  Kael grabbed Elysia’s wrist. “Hope you’re good at running.”

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  She gave him a sharp smile. “I prefer fighting.”

  They bolted down the hallway as red warning lights flashed overhead. The once-empty corridors were suddenly alive with movement—guards pouring in from side passages, weapons drawn.

  Kael ducked low as a bolt of fire magic seared past his ear. He whirled, pulling his pistol from its holster.

  Bang.

  A headshot. The guard crumpled.

  Lyria spun in a blur, twin daggers flashing as she cut through the approaching soldiers. Phantom moved like a specter, striking before his enemies even saw him.

  Elysia, unarmed, simply raised a hand.

  The air trembled.

  A wave of invisible force blasted down the corridor, sending guards slamming into walls.

  Kael let out a low whistle. “Damn. Now that’s an entrance.”

  Elysia dusted off her hands. “I told you. I prefer fighting.”

  The group tore through the Spire’s lower levels, dodging between cover as more reinforcements poured in. Phantom led the way, navigating the labyrinthine hallways with precise movements.

  “Elevator’s ahead,” he called.

  Kael turned a corner—and nearly collided with a heavily armored warden.

  The brute swung a massive war hammer.

  Kael barely rolled aside before the weapon cratered the floor where he stood.

  “Shit—!”

  Lyria leaped onto the warden’s back, stabbing at the weak points in his armor.

  “Go!” she shouted. “I’ll hold him off!”

  Kael hesitated.

  She glared. “Kael—go!”

  Gritting his teeth, he turned and sprinted after Phantom and Elysia.

  The elevator was in sight—but so were more guards.

  Phantom wasted no time, cutting through the first line of defense.

  Kael fired round after round, covering their approach.

  Elysia… didn’t slow down.

  She charged.

  Her hands glowed, magic swirling like a storm around her fingertips.

  With a flick of her wrist, she sent a shockwave through the air—bodies flew, smashing into walls like ragdolls.

  Kael gawked. “Okay. You really could’ve gotten out on your own.”

  Elysia smirked. “I wanted an escort.”

  Phantom pulled open the elevator doors. “Inside. Now.”

  They piled in just as more guards rounded the corner.

  Kael slammed the button. “C’mon, c’mon—”

  The doors slid shut.

  The sounds of shouting and gunfire were cut off as the elevator lurched upward.

  Silence, save for their ragged breathing.

  Kael leaned against the wall, grinning. “Well, that went to hell fast.”

  Elysia crossed her arms. “You were expecting different?”

  Kael chuckled. “Not really.”

  Phantom checked his weapons. “We’re not out yet.”

  Lyria’s voice crackled over their comms. “Tell me you made it.”

  Kael tapped his earpiece. “We made it.”

  Lyria sighed. “Good. Now hurry up. I can’t hold this bastard forever.”

  The elevator dinged.

  The doors slid open.

  Waiting for them was an entire platoon of guards.

  Kael exhaled.

  “Ah, hell.”