Dean's POV:
Kane dropped his hand, his breathing uneven. I could see the conflict raging in his eyes, the guilt tearing at him.
"This is your fucking fault," I snarled at him, stepping closer. "Your darkness tainted her. Made her weak. Now, she's being used like a fucking puppet."
Kane's eyes flashed red.
"You think I don't fucking know that?" His voice was raw, broken. "You think I don't feel it every time she—" He cut himself off, fists clenching. "I would rip myself apart if it meant saving her."
His pain was real.
But it didn't change the fact that Elena was running out of time.
I turned back to the witch. "There has to be a way to weaken it. To cut off its power."
She studied me for a long moment. "Perhaps…" she mused. "But the question is, are you willing to do what it takes?"
Kane and I exchanged a look.
Neither of us hesitated.
"Anything," Kane growled.
I nodded. "Tell us."
The witch's eyes gleamed with something dark.
