And the spell screamed.

“There is no other way.” Vald turned. For one breath, his face was human again — soft, tired, afraid. “Volume eight ends here, Haldyn. Not with a battle. With a choice.”

The moon hung low over Valdrigal, fractured like old bone. Haldyn pressed his palm against the ruins of the castle gate, feeling the curse pulse beneath the stone. Alive. Hungry.

Haldyn’s throat tightened. “Then we find another way.”