Even the Thirteenth Claw retreated. They started shielding themselves with runes and sigils. But I stood still. The rune on my throat flared, and the creature bowed its head toward me. "I am no fool," I said, as silence returned. "I made a deal. I pay the price. But I hold the leash." "You’re ma
Gina’s POV The trees here bled. Their twisted trunks poured out red liquid. Jt looked like blood from old wounds. The forest and the very ground here trembled with dark magic. Every step I took cracked bones hidden beneath the soil. These were bones of those foolish enough to seek this place and
ELISE’S POVThe moment I closed my eyes, it felt like I was falling—slowly at first, then faster and faster until the world around me vanished. Sleep didn’t feel peaceful tonight. It felt like a summoning. Like something, somewhere, was calling me beyond the veil of dreams.I found myself standing i
This was it.I took a deep breath as I moved inside.I pushed the curtain aside and went in.The interior was a bit dark. I spotted her immediately.Maelis.She was small and frail. Two fingers were missing from her left hand. Her hair was long, silver, tangled with feathers and dried herbs.She did
SOPHIA'S POVI leaned over a bubbling pot of stew in the palace kitchen. The heat made me sweat. My apron was already covered with flour and herbs by mid-morning. The logbook lay open beside me, stained and scribbled on. Inside, I made a chaotic list of noble demands, allergies to every kind of nut
Her eyes widened in shock.“I keep losing people, Sophia,” I went on, my voice thickening. “I keep failing.”Her expression shifted. Something raw and aching in her gaze.“You didn’t fail him,” she whispered.“I did. I should’ve protected him.”I couldn’t stop it anymore. The knot in my chest unrave