: Shadows

Person (S

lsed with a damp, earthen chill, their wal

rozen, my gaze locked on Mother. Her face, usually warm with wisdom, was cold a

awakened the Starborn, Sarah, and now

urned hotter, its crimson ink sear

n's shadow wa

foretold, or was I bl

yes had ignited a forbidden attraction, tens

rk. Had I, the strong heroine of the Willow Creek S

mbling but sharp, "what are yo

ed with a bitter grace that m

h," she said, stepping closer, the rune stone

ust a man. He's a key

tepped between us. "I'm no one's key," he said, his

gh Assembly t

ched, a faint smil

the half of it. The sacred tex

igh Sister-in-training, were my guide. But mother's words hinted at

duty, or a strong hero

oll pulsed, its

world shall rise, or cru

d, my hand tightenin

t the Starborn all

icked to Mason,

just about him, Sarah. It's about yo

on that made my skin prickle. Mason's hazel eyes met mine, a flick

, replaced by a slow burn that threatened to consume me. I hated how

e the tension, sm

Assembly is outsid

the crash we'd heard, but their footsteps echoed closer,

sembly over me, branding Mason a traitor from Raven

eeper," I said, gr

n, co

is defiant stan

r," he said, nodd

games with your

I snapped, though d

l light illuminating secrets I wasn't ready to face. Was she th

e urgent. "The High Assembly will seal t

e stone casting a glow that danced on the damp walls. The air

re watching. Mason stayed close, his calloused hands brushing

" I asked Mother, my voi

ly finds out, they'

her robes sweepin

idden prophecy was hidden for a reason. You're no

my life, its holy rites my purpose. But the prophecy scroll, now searing my pocket,

ound to a fated mates connection t

ts ceiling studded with glowing crystals th

surface etched with symbols that pulsed with fire. My breath cau

wears a fa

my heart pounding. "

have a ru

ltar, its light merging wi

ow Creek itself. The river spirits guard its secrets

ened, his scars s

rn," he said,

an running fr

ned, a rare crack i

Mason. Your secret past

. "Fate? Your sacred hymns are ju

lap, reigniting our en

about us," I said, stepp

Willow Creek for generations. Yo

yes that made my pulse race. "And you're blind to wh

won't save you

upernatural attraction I couldn't shake. I wanted to hate him, to cling to my

h the caverns; Hannah's voice

cried, her beads sl

ne stone from the alt

hidden lever. The altar rumbled, sliding to re

ing. "I won't leave you to f

. "The Starborn and his bond; you are

is touch electric. "She

tical destiny pulling me toward him. Lila'

into the tunnel. The stone slid shut behind us,

andoned her, or was she

avy with the scent of deep caverns. My flashlight cast shadows t

n she stumbled. His bitter grace was maddening, yet I cou

ead?" Mason asked,

know," I

nts is a secret even from

red texts are full of

. "You're a fugitive with scars that scr

nnel shook, dust raining from the ceiling. A low hum fille

imson ink revealing a new line: "

g. A blade? Was Mother in da

n black, holding a dagger that glinted with spectral light. Their face was hi

n's fate," they said, raising

heat searing my skin. Was this the shadow

a glowing dagger blocks the tunne

de from the prophecy scr