LOGINThere were notes about the meals they preferred after training, the drinks they reached for when they were tired, and even the little habits they displayed when they were irritated. I had never considered those things burdensome. Remembering them had become so natural that I rarely thought about i
ELARA’S POV Marcus sighed and softened his voice. “If there is something you need to tell us, just say it. How can we defend you if you refuse to explain?” Liam’s temper flared hotter. He stepped closer, eyes narrowed. “You will not even tell us where you went. How are we supposed to believe a wor
Lauren closed her eyes and tried to remember. “There was someone behind me,” she said slowly. “I remember hearing footsteps, but when I turned around…” Her face tightened. “Nothing.” “What about the herbs you were carrying?” Her eyes opened. “I dropped them.” My thoughts sharpened. The crus
ELARA’S POV Lauren’s voice cut across the registration hall just as the official’s fingers closed around the edge of the register. “Wait! There’s still one more person!” She had come specifically for this. The moment she realized I had not arrived she pushed through the line of waiting warriors a
I sent a short message to my friend and arranged to meet her at the usual corner after the evening meal. We would walk to the registration office together. I reached the meeting place early and waited. Half an hour passed. The street emptied as people headed home. My friend never appeared. A col
ELARA’S POV I turned another page in the thick ledger and forced my eyes to stay open. The ink had begun to blur after hours spent bent over dusty records in the archive room at the edge of the district. Stack after stack of old expedition notes and herb catalogs surrounded me, yet none of them hel







