War amongst blood.

"This doesn't make sense."

Archer's voice was raw, his hands braced against the marble conference table in Cerius' estate. The air was thick with frustration, every person in the room reflecting it in their own way….Cerius stood rigidly near the fireplace, Artemis paced like a caged wolf, Rowena watched the flames with an unreadable expression, Seraphis sat in tense silence, and Marlyil, Xander, and Ravi standing in the background, their faces grim.

It had been months.

Months without a trace of Haelyn. No scent. No whisper. No lead.

Archer's fists slammed against the table, rattling the crystal decanter.

"She's my mate. I should be able to feel her!" His voice was edged with something desperate, something raw.

Artemis exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "And yet, you can't. Neither can Seraphis with her magic, nor Cerius with his tracking. It's like she disappeared into thin air."