wrist disappeared before s

the spot,

what wa

st, and his expressio

ow

onds, Lucien said nothing as he examined

it mean?"

has mar

me for

d that mark may be able

k wasn't just about taking me away. They wa

nodded

o secure t

he truth you prom

n't for

ing that, yet nobod

sounded from the outer walls. One lo

turned toward the

intruders have cr

ushed tow

en spotted near the mountain pass.

?" Lucien

appear to be following a

eyes shifted

mach ti

e follo

expressio

to the inn

they're coming because of m

ady faced one

won't stop them

at her, his

o control your powers. I

me to defe

he mountains. Another followed, then another, unti

the captain of

the eastern gate. Nobody

bowed and

aced Ele

ot attempt anything w

e, Elena

, but she knew she wasn't ready

yard just as the first rogue w

ing red eyes. Strange black markings covered their

rior raised

n't ordina

s face

en corrupted

and sniffed the air. It

rowl escape

it ch

ne!" the cap

ced their way through the entrance. Steel clashed a

rd, watching the fig

way from the others and ch

VE!" Lucie

n, but the creat

side her, sending fragments f

olf l

ew up h

y aw

orming a shimmering shield. The wol

at the glow

d done

ckered, growing we

n circling her. Its red eye

ce entered

belongs to

a fr

ha

d not escape us.

t seemed

ew my m

d and sprang to

refused to wait

t her pal

ature backward. The flames wrapped around its bo

olf h

sified, the black marking

s red eyes returned to t

ature c

rried to

pened to my mothe

ifted its

ned temple... t

s eyes

the fallen cre

ned t

ue about h

ything else, a second r

flashing with golden energy. Th

began withdrawing t

ordered the guards. "They m

courtyard

rts of the eastern gate had been dama

ed at the

er. Someone knew about her mother and want

appro

you h

N

nt golden sparks still fli

without losing contr

arely h

ined temple. It said the truth ab

nt comple

t te

Does it mean an

esit

he northern mountains. It was abando

eart bega

must go

N

cie

our enemies are directing you t

se to the truth, some

w what those r

tepped

tell

er gaze for a

f the first dragon rulers. Some believe it hol

dn't you tel

as trying to

ruth or fro

ross his face, bu

further, a royal messenger ca

ound something near

ce of black cloth mark

ion changed the

a no

is t

his fist aro

enemy'

ho

ard the dista

d have been dead f

blood tu

een y

er of years s

rist. The golden symbol

voice whispered

ere you ar

and clutche

ice co

we will tak

n, fear and determinat

," she declared. "With or

er before finally

leave a

inked in

coming w

to walk into an e

oward the p

hat temple, you must be pre

him, her th

ien had agreed to take

ined temple held a secret far more