Task

The marble floor gleamed like black glass beneath Samantha's feet as she followed the High Judge deeper into the Sanctum. With each step, the weight of what she'd done—what she still had to do—pressed down on her shoulders like a physical burden. The image of Callum's body crumpling to the floor, blood pooling beneath him, flashed through her mind on repeat. Even knowing it was part of their plan didn't ease the horror of what she'd witnessed.

Please get to him in time. Please.

The silent prayer looped in her mind as she maintained her carefully crafted mask of reverence. The spell Orion had cast was temporary. Callum's soul was still tethered to his body, but only for twelve hours. After that, the connection would become too weak to restore.

Time was their enemy now.