Alec’s

"I do," Raven replies calmly. "But think about it, Sadie. The prophecy said you have the power to destroy the curse. What if destroying the curse means killing Kaden? Prophecies are never literal-they're all riddles and double meanings. Maybe this is what it meant all along."

Panic builds inside me. My fingers tremble against the edge of the table. My heart feels like it might beat right out of my chest.

I get what she's saying and it actually makes sense, but killing a fucking demi- god? That's completely crazy. It's a fucking death wish.noveldrama

"Raven,” I murmur, trying to suppress my panic. "We are not only talking about a man so evil that he was feared by other deities, but also one that is half god. Do you get that? Sure, I have powers, but I don't think I can go up against a demigod."

Call me a coward or whatever, but at this point, I'd rather serve as an anchor until my dying breath than go up against Kaden. He was feared for a reason. What makes Raven think I have what it takes to kill him?

Silence stretches as she stares at me for a long time. Then finally, she speaks.

"You wouldn't have to fight him, Sadie."

"What do you mean? You just said "

She sighs. "I think Kaden is unconscious."

Alec straightens. "Explain."

"This spell has been around for probably more than a century. Think about it. If Kaden is this powerful demi-god and he was conscious, wouldn't he have broken free long ago?"

Now that she put it that way, it actually does make sense. There is no way such a powerful man would remain imprisoned for that long. He doesn't seem like the kind to sit around and accept this kind of punishment. He would have tried to escape and would have succeeded by now.

"So, he's asleep?" Piper asks.

"Most likely," Raven nods.

"That, or his powers are bound," Alec adds.

Raven sighs. "Whether he was put into a deep sleep or his powers were bound

doesn't matter. What matters is that he can't fight back."

"And I can take advantage of his vulnerable state to kill him," I murmur.

"Exactly," she echoes.

I slump back in my chair, staring down at the now-cold plate of food in front of me. My coffee's gone cold, too.

Raven's voice continues. "We just need to find his location. As for the spell, I found a text that might help

us weaken it just enough to create the window we need."

I sit quietly, letting everything sink in. This is the solution we've been

waiting for. The one that could actually end this. So why does it feel like a boulder has settled on my

"Raven..."

She cuts me off. "We just need a small window, Sadie. That's all. Just enough

time to finish it—once and for all. I know you can do this."

I look around the table, anxiety gnawing at the edges of my composure.

"I'm with Raven on this," Micah says, tapping his fingers on the wood. "It's the best of the two."

My gaze shifts to Jason.

"I'm with her too."

Then to Piper.

"This option gives permanent results," she says. "So, I'm in."

Finally, my eyes find Alec.

He's already looking at me, and the heat in his eyes takes my breath away.

"I'll choose whatever option is least risky for you," he says, his voice soft but sure. "If Kaden's vulnerable, I'd rather you face him like that than

have you used to power that spell for the rest of your life."

I exhale slowly, releasing the breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

"Okay," I whisper.

I guess it's been decided.

I'm going to kill Kaden.