d Kaelen long before th

streaks through his fur-lined cloak. Beneath him, houses smoldered. The s

ma

rom behind, shifting restlessly in the darkne

id," one said. "T

ken stone. His fingers found a mark-a delicate carving hid

of the Cr

ssed thr

y

ly killed a vil

le in his body vibr

e said, voice low.

from

s eyes

ery

ed the tr

with vampiric curses. He moved with purpose, each breath tracking her

ing an

er three n

Dead Temple, benea

ht soaking her skin, hair tangled by wind, and

a va

a w

hing

the clearing, and for a hear

h

d, voice like a sword sl

ng," Kaelen repli

idn't

't m

like a flame si

you here,

lready

your pr

come to

d her eyes.

loser. "To ask y

ed her ch

her, the air between them h

u still

cracked some

t answer r

nt scar where the dagger had once bitt

ours," she sai

ange, but something in his po

to be," she

ind s

ser, gaze burning.

y the P

n't c

sho

're changing. That you're walking into the hands o

ping close enough to feel

t her

gger. Before Veyra.

e to go bac

to remember

ing someth

d I'm afraid... I won't be

between them li

ething that surpr

up and touch

m.

ng that had

ore," she said. "But I don'

ith me. Back to the Ridge. We'll protect

he said

y n

t work for Veyra. And

jaw tightening. "The

hesi

eaned

whis

the thrones do

uld answer, a ho

a

re se

eyes we

foun

lade, steel ringing like thu

ed. "They were

in crimson cloaks with blades like bo

d her behind

rd instead, pulling th

in her han

more," s

ss her palm, blood sizzli

air

' legs. The forest screamed with ancient power. An

was

was no

ht was

ike grace, protecting Lyra's flank. She danced like fire, striki

e were t

shoulder. Another g

oaked t

they

they

n

tore the

ce twisted in terror as somethin

Ly

Kae

one o

s Ver

was s