Chapter 21

• As Astrid confronts Kellan's betrayal and Dante's manipulation, her anger simmers beneath the surface, threatening to boil over. She squares her shoulders, ready to face whatever comes next, but before she can utter another word, Dante's voice cuts through the tension like a knife.
• "You're wasting my time," Dante sneers, his tone dripping with disdain. With a flick of his hand, he disappears into the shadows, his guards and Kellan vanishing with him.
• Astrid's jaw clenches in frustration as she watches them vanish, her fists tightening at her sides. She exchanges a glance with Nova, Liam, and Lyra, their expressions mirroring her own mix of anger and determination.