The collar cracked open with a sharp, ugly snap.
Kael sucked in a breath like the shrine had punched him in the chest. His hand flew to his throat. The silver glow around the metal surged once, then burst out in a short pulse that lit the whole chamber white.
Lyria flinched and threw an arm over her face.
The basin flashed.
The floor shook.
Mira swore loud enough to be heard over the noise. Ronan stumbled back a step and grabbed the wall. Selene shouted something Lyria did not catch because the room had started to hum like it was waking up angry.
Kael dropped forward onto one hand.
His shoulders jerked.
Not a full shift. Not yet. But close enough to make Lyria's stomach drop. His breath came rough now. His eyes flashed gold and stayed there. The broken collar hung open against his throat, silver light leaking from the split like steam.
"Kael," Lyria said, and got to her knees beside him.
He looked at her, jaw clenched hard. "Not good."
"No kidding."
