[the chill over kiera's hand spreads to their heart for just one moment. they recall a time last year, an argument with luca in which he shared that his goal was that very same -- to kill the beast. kiera knows it tortures him, of course they know, but that doesn't mean they're willing to just let luca potentially kill himself in the process of removing it.

they stare deeply into the stone, their hand shaking once before they force it still once more.]

I must admit, I'm relieved you're unable to access it. Luca is tied intrinsically to the Beast. Killing it may very well kill him.