Chapter 12

Dianna stalks Santiago through the ship, melting through a deck to pursue him. Santiago ambushes Dianna with a fine powder that burns her eyes and attacks her nervous system, leaving her disoriented and weakened. He taunts her about Kaden’s preparations and attempts to dominate her, but Dianna counters, biting him to search his memories.

Agonizing backlash stops Dianna when Santiago’s blood proves warded. Santiago reveals Kaden has spelled the blood of important Otherworld allies to block Dianna’s tracking and hints that iron is only one ingredient in Kaden’s broader plan to open realms. He hammers Dianna with green magic, slamming her through metal and binding her, intent on killing or delivering her to Kaden.

As Santiago prepares a final blow, a silver blade cleaves him in two—Samkiel arrives and kills Santiago, breaking the bindings. Dianna, furious, argues that Santiago had more information; Samkiel counters that she was being brutalized. Their confrontation flares into raw admissions and denials about their shared past and unresolved desire.

Before Dianna can leave, explosions rip through the ship—Kaden’s contingency to destroy the cargo if Santiago failed. Shrapnel hurtles toward Samkiel; Dianna tackles him, taking the wounds herself, moments before the vessel floods. As waves drag them into the sea, Dianna recognizes Kaden’s ruthless strategy: he will not be found until he chooses.