Kael's POV
My mind was a whirlwind of chaos and fear as we neared the car. The woods thinned, and freedom felt within reach. But Lyra's absence weighed heavily on me, a lead weight in my chest. She was still out there, facing that monster of a brother. Her cries echoed in my head, haunting me, even though the woods had gone quiet behind us.
I stopped in my tracks, my body trembling with rage and dread. "I'm going back."
Arden grabbed my arm, his face pale.
"Kael, are you insane? She told us to go. She said she could handle it."
"Handle it?" I barked, my voice laced with venom. I yanked my arm free, glaring at him. "Does that look like a brother who wouldn't hurt his sister? You heard her cries, Arden! You think I'll leave her to suffer?"
"She can handle him Kael. We all know it. Adrian's—"
I cut him off, my voice shaking with fury.
"Adrian is a monster. A monster who will kill her if we don't get to her in time."
