n with exquisite detail. Ancient stone walls rose on all sides, covered in climbing roses whose blooms seemed to glow in the

es mixed with older, stranger fragrances – herbs she couldn't name and flowers that couldn't possibly exist

lready knew. The pendant had grown cool against

s garden exists in a pocket between moments – a place where time doesn't quite flow the way it should." He t

lked toward the nearest wall, trailing her fingers along ancient st

ess in his tone couldn't quite mask its underlying tens

face him.

had grown naturally from the earth itself. "We've lived seven full liv

imes have we lo

ir between them. Adrian's

her eyes, letting the garden's strange energy wash over her. Images flickered through her m

ng a healer's robes, the pendant

rs, clutching ancient scrolls, th

idden beneath layers of silk, catching

figures loomed above them, t

n. "We never had a h

rder always found us eventually." He stood, closing the distance between them with measured

t take the pendant a

"The Chronolith bonds to specific souls – souls that are compatible with its power. In every generation, it seeks ou

id softly. "Th

ose to protect rather than exploit it." His hand rose, almost touching the pendant

between them, and t

ry, and suddenly they were bot

healer's robes – Lily's first self – worked among the herb beds, the new pendant glinting in the twilight.

er hand closing around the pendant. Even then, it

Adrian's familiar features, though his eyes held none of

htened, unafraid. "But you're too la

word at his side. "Then

endant blazed to life. "Look deep

, and in that moment, their souls reco

en. Lily's hand had found the pendant again, and Adrian's e

w – everything I'd been taught about the pendant was wrong. The Order claimed

rom somewhere deep within her. "Between souls, be

Chronolith doesn't respond to force or dark magic. It

finding each other, isn't it? The pendant doesn't just need two people – i

could feel the warmth radiating from him. "If they can't use the pendant's power, they'll

The roses trembled on their vines, and Lily felt a

hey?" she asked, though s

nt, and its light enveloped them both in a protective glow

ow

r hand cupped her cheek, and the gesture felt both brand new and achingly familiar. "Maybe th

began to wither, their petals turning black a

eady despite her racing heart

ecy. The Order's most closely guarded secret. They believe that in the ninth life, the Chronolit

e substantial than before. The garden's twilight

e pressed closer to Adrian, their combined

." His arms went around her as the first shadow figures emerged from

ding the shadows at bay – but more were coming. Lily could fee

," she realized. "Why they're mo

" Adrian finished

rifyingly familiar. "Did you think you could hide here?" i

istrate," he whispered. "The

from everywhere at once. "I've found you in every

threatened to overwhelm her, another memory surfaced – not of loss this time, but of triumph. Of standi

e first time we were here – what

ive. We created this place. The Sanctuary wasn't here bef

it over the pendant with hers. "Maybe we can

rmer, responding to their shared purpose. Adrian's free hand cupped h

er?" he

me since this strange day began,

shadows reached them, and the garden trembl

explosive power Lily expected, it pulsed once

, his voice tight with concern.

s if it was holding something back. The shadows pressed close

y? That you could access its full power so soon?" His voice seemed to come from every

trembled. "We need to leave," he whispered. "W

ly protested, even as she felt the anc

urgent and intense. "But first, you need to u

ed figures approaching with measured steps. But

ill make our final victory all the sweeter." His presence seemed to fill the garden now, suffocating in it

found Lily's, fingers intertwining. "The pe

mething in Eva's journal. Some doors, once opened... T

stinct guide her. The pendant's light wrapped

lur: "You cannot escape your destiny, children. The ninth

in the Magistrate's stance - not triumph, but worry. She held that obs

every wall. Adrian steadied her as she swayed, the

ked, though the space

w, checking the street below. "One of many bolt-hole

ons. The pendant had gone completely cool, dormant in a way s

"We're not ready. The pendant... i

across his features. "Not something. Someone."

her? But why

rt I can't tell you yet." His expression was troubled

istrate's words about destiny and their ninth

va disappeared three months ago, right after leaving that message in the Arch

orm had been forecast. The pendant stirred against L

quietly. "We have maybe twenty-fou

eight of unspoken secrets there

like a heartbeat, as if