ht was

ragged. The undergrowth tugged at her gown, branches clawing at her

small form was warm against her chest, his tiny fingers twitching in his sleep. If not for

e was

devoured by the darkness her son had unleashed. What was t

a's hear

those who wielded a power beyond mortal comprehension. Most had been erased f

ing proof that the cur

ad come for him at birth

he was. What

y would never s

-

ter in

nd blood still lingered, but something else st

against a thick oak. Her breath came in shal

s not

darkness, someo

wig. A shift

idwife's corpse. She was no warrior like her husband, but she wo

es rustl

ure dropped fr

sed-only for her wrist to

lack, his face concealed beneath a hood. His gr

ce was deep, steady-but lace

ulse raced. "

hood casting a shadow over his feature

call me

her, but the way he spok

been wait

-

idden

nct told her to be wary, she had no choice. The Inquisition was

rance of a hidden cavern. It was well-concealed, covered

alls lined with torches that fl

d her child close

ack his hood. For the first time, she saw his face-sharp features

wered. "For those the

caught. "

y force that knows about the cursed bloodline

elief and fear. "Why? Wha

ld. For a moment, something unreadable crossed

ed child," Ravian murmured.

ina st

u mean?" sh

th of the cave. The wind howled outside, carrying with i

ng silence

born under the blood moon, marked by the abyss,

er eyes

n said quietly, "

a chill down Se

Abys

f myths. A being prophesied to brin

as lying in her arms,

is true... then the Inquisition won't sto

re him. If he is to survive, he must grow stronger. He

r son tighter. "H

ut time moves swiftly. And t

w through the cave, causi

s, his tiny fingers curling, his bl

ore closing them again-his lips curv

ld was

born had

would ever