s Lirael rode beneath their boughs, their shadows reaching for her like the fingers of long-forgotten specters. Her stee

replayed the Council's fina

bound to the Veil by prophecy and blood. Tru

secrets ran as deep as its shadowy forests, and she had long since learned that trust was a luxury sh

ave to carry

d. She had

ye. Lirael pulled the reins sharply, her hand darting to the hilt of her sword.

ld wind. Then, a shadow shifted among the trees, too quick to be natural. Lirael

, her voice steady despite the

ser this time. Then, a figu

A scar ran across his jawline, and his piercing green eyes were sharp with caution. Lirael r

lt of his blade. "You're as sharp as ever, Lirae

"What are you doing here, Kaelen? I do

rrender. "Relax. I'm not here to c

suspicion flaring. "W

, his smirk fading. "The Veil isn't just some ancient relic. It'

for working in the shadows, his loyalties shifting like the tides. But the

ing her blade. "But stay out of

beside her as she mounted Kael once

the afternoon sun. Finn's party had made good progress, but the journey was far from ea

cused on the task ahead. His second-in-command,

n said, breaking the silence. "Retrieving the Veil w

But if we don't, the Dominion will use i

his brow furrowed. "S

don't believe in th

he Veil's power is tied to the realms,

rrupted, his voice firm. "Prop

ase lingered. Finn ignored it, fo

ss gave way to rocky outcrops, the ground growing uneven. The Shattered Peaks l

ey was only beginning, but he couldn't shake

ached the outskirts of the Peaks. The mountains

" Kaelen said, his tone light

"Stay alert. The Veil is

y up the rocky path, the air grew colder, the shadows deeper. Li

rmed. A low growl echoed through the mist,

en muttered, drawing

owing eyes and skeletal forms a haunting sight.

ed, raising her sword a

the creatures with precision. When the last wolf fell, Lirael'

blade. "Not bad, princess. Yo

ahead. The Peaks held more dangers than wrait