Chapter 66

As Isolde began to prepare the ritual, Victor stood in the dim light of the chamber, his mind racing. The weight of the choice before him was immense—he knew there was no easy way out of this. The price was steep, and the implications of the sacrifice haunted him.

Isolde’s voice broke through his thoughts. "Victor, are you ready?"

Victor looked up, his eyes meeting hers. "What exactly does this ritual involve?"

Isolde motioned to the altar. "You will have to channel the ley lines’ energy and redirect it, restoring the balance that has been disturbed. But the ley lines demand a price—one that binds them to the world of the living. You must give up something of great value."

Victor frowned, his unease growing. "And if I don’t?"

"The ley lines will continue to surge," Isolde said, her voice unwavering. "And eventually, they will destroy everything in their path. The city, the covens, your people—they’ll all be consumed by the chaos."

Victor clenched his fists. The thought of sacrificing