Ethan's brow furrowed, and he straightened up. "So, what does that mean for us?"
Avery's hands trembled as she turned to face him. "It means Liam can't complete the ritual on his own. He's using the rogues to search for someone who can. If he finds them, he'll force them to help him, no matter the cost."
"And what about us?" Ethan pressed, his voice low but intense. "If this ritual needs a bonded pair, does that mean we..."
Avery hesitated, her heart pounding. "I don't know," she admitted. "But... there's something else."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "What is it?"
She looked down at the parchment, her voice barely audible. "If the bond between the pair is damaged, the ritual could destroy them both."
---
Ethan's breath caught, and he stepped back, his gaze searching her face. "What are you saying?"
