Meanwhile, in his own secluded place, Jay stood alone, far from the eyes of everyone else. The rules were clear: no one was allowed to follow him. His gaze was fixed sharply on the white witch who had been waiting, a figure in a white robe, hair and beard glowing softly.
"I've seen it," Jay said firmly.
The witch merely nodded.
"What's happening?" Jay demanded, his voice rising.
"As I told you, the mark will disappear, and your woman… she will die," the witch said flatly.
Jay flinched, anger flaring. "Nonsense! How can that happen?" he shouted, his face reddened by both rage and worry. The mark on Liv's waist lingered vividly in his mind, and the reality of it unsettled him deeply.
"I've said everything. Now it's up to you. Do you want her to die or not?" the witch stated, emphasizing the weight of the choice.
Jay paused, then lowered his gaze from his horse. He stepped forward slowly.
"You cannot cross the barrier," the witch warned.
