Imogen couldn't believe her ears. The tension in the room had suddenly escalated as Kayden's cold command hung in the air. She looked at him, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. She couldn't bring herself to raise her magical abilities against Raphael, a friend she had grown so close to during their perilous journey.
"No," Imogen said, her voice trembling. "I won't do it. I can't."
Kayden's expression remained stern, unyielding. "You will, Imogen. I need to see the extent of your powers."
Helena watched the exchange with growing unease, torn between her loyalty to Imogen and the fear of what Kayden might do if Imogen refused. The room seemed to constrict around them, the tension thick as a storm cloud.
Raphael stepped forward, his voice filled with determination. "Imogen, you have to do it. It's the only way we can protect Helena."