like a wound, a memory where there was nothing but sorrow-raw, al

n contrast to the silence between her and the man who'd rescued her from t

orest passed in brushstrokes of silver, trees curving under the body of the moon. His silhouette was all

e wasn't.

dewy hoodie stuck to her like a second skin. The mark under it pulsed with

ls, like it

"What the hell wa

ked and dry and un

glance at he

. "A test? I

ssion unreadable. "A

was stalked, run through the forest by creatures with eyes that g

ars in one second. "They weren't monsters. Th

d. "And w

at her. His eyes

At least

s caught. "Li

yths. We're stronger than the legends. We don't transform with the moon. We bea

ust me. Invisible girl. Foster kid. I get mocke

world beyond the windshield ceased to exist. His voic

That mark is your inheritance, waking up. You're not just anything, Elara.

under a canopy of twisted trees. The road was obscured, engulfed by mist and

nd flickering lanterns of amber light. Like somet

over. "We're

nding her that today had destroyed all that she believed. Yet somethin

awaited, already lit. Lights were missing, but the shadows danced

l subside when your b

clumsily. "You've

clenched

esitate

er than they had been

escaped fro

is dead," s

ted that I promise to take care of you.

in her hands. She entered the bathroom, locked the door, an

ill glowed-crescent moon, cut in half by a sharp and a perfect line. I

ouche

world

rst throug

enveloped and cloaked

arred throne. Flames f

arder, silver-topped

Tears that she didn't know she w

ons disa

ce re

or and gazed into her own wide,

are

kn

clear at the same time. "It'

y opened

e a tempest locked wi

w, her voice firmin

pens now?

ot as a protector. N

g prophecy o

every beast in the hidden world recognises your blo

the mark once more. Th

ibra

hrum

compre

ber," she told t

e was grim

se the world in which your people dwel