The doors of the abyss slammed shut with a deafening, metallic crash that reverberated through the very foundations of the palace. Hebner Grand strode out into the upper corridors, his robes billowing behind him like a cloud of fresh blood, his hair whipping against his shoulders with every violent step.
He was angry—furious to the point of absolute madness. He had not agreed to Spendo's terms. He had left the ancient iron dragon chained in his dark, sulfurous cage, refusing to trade the hard-won security of Voidmore for the peace of his own flesh. Yet, the beast's parting words echoed inside his mind like a persistent, mocking curse.
"Hannah McKay is your destined one... the universe does not negotiate with kings."
