CURSED LYCAN
The corrupted version of Sera's body was cremated at dawn.
Kael stood alone at the facility's incinerator, watching flames consume what should have been left sacred. Emma had offered to come. He'd refused. This was something he needed to do alone.
"I failed you," he said to the fire. "Let them desecrate your rest. I should've protected you better. Even in death."
The flames crackled. No response. No ghost. No magical reassurance.
Just fire and ash and bone.
When it was done, Kael collected the ashes personally. Put them in an urn beside the first set. Two cremations. Both the woman he loved. Both violations in their own way.
He returned to headquarters three hours later. The team was assembled in the war room. Tense. Waiting.
"The three scientists are in council custody," Ava reported. She looked exhausted. Hadn't slept since the Montana incident. "I've been breaking into their systems. Their research. Their funding."
"And?" Kael asked.
