Chapter 26 · The Bride Key Turns

"You saw what I showed you." Celia's voice bounces off stone like she's lecturing freshmen, not standing over two people who just bled all over her ritual floor. "Your brother understood the cost. He agreed. The city needed a lock, and he gave us one."

I'm still holding Rafe's wrist. His pulse is stronger, but his eyes are half-shut and his breathing's rough.

I can still see Jonah's face. The way he looked at Celia before she cut him.

"He didn't agree to die," I say. Steadier than I feel. "You killed him."

Celia tilts her head. "I gave him a choice. Walk away and let the wolves tear this city apart, or be the anchor. He chose."

"Bullshit."

Rafe's hand tightens on mine. Not much. Just enough.

Celia steps closer. Same calm look, like we're negotiating a parking ticket instead of standing in a blood-soaked chamber. "The pact needs a Vale to hold it. Your brother's gone. That means you're the only key left. You can rework the altar with your blood and close the loop cleanly—or I let the moon rise and every wolf in this city belongs to me. Including him.