enc

t of a forest at dusk o

t wrapped around Aria like a shroud. She floated in i

of them. Hundreds. Words half-f

" "...betrayer's kin..." "...

ed through mist. Her feet found no g

p relief. She stood in a stone chamber ringed with ethereal wolves spirits made of s

Echoes had be

ard. Its fur shimmered like

de. Speak, Aria Moonstone. What claims your

I won't run from it. I want to unde

tral circle. A white wolf stepped

ason. Tell us would you choose loyalty or t

r gaze. "Tru

t shatters

ially

rs. Approv

nric spo

memory can wound deeper than fang." The dais flared with light. And th

Blood Moon. Wolves clashing, howls

Alpha but already a legend. At his side was another:

d by fury-but a warrior, proud and whol

her father arguing with the Counc

rites to save innoce

rotectors but we bur

mercy can undo the breach." Her father's last words in t

again. Flames now. Hollowshade

ting in a forgotten tongue. Spirits rose from

. The pact made.

ots of the Moon Tree.

one." Aria stumbled back from the vision,

now. W

voice wa

's name. You are part of the oath that b

ne to mend it." Lir

ove

er of the dais

stone and obsidian, humm

y, it will awaken for you. If not...

ment her fingers touched

t not of pain, but of memory.

Nyra's sorrow. The

Not with destruction. With lig

d future," whispered another. Then all at once, they vanished. The chamber dimmed. And Aria stood a

s's eyes

u see?" She m

Tension snapped taut. And somewhere in the sha

ory. Not a visio

ome to claim