ログインGianna stared at the small shard of glass glowing softly in Draven's outstretched palm, disbelief and renewed suspicion warring within her despite the obvious resonance she could sense emanating from it, identical in quality to the fragment they'd just recovered from the mountain ruins."Where did you get that?" Nolan demanded, his hand already moving instinctively toward his sword hilt, the earlier revelation of Draven's unexplained knowledge about Luna's mark clearly still weighing heavily on his judgment despite the apparent value of what the young Alpha now offered."My family has kept it hidden for generations," Draven said, his voice carrying genuine earnestness despite the wariness evident in every face watching him. "Passed down carefully through each generation since my great-grandmother first claimed it belonged to our bloodline's connection to old Fae magic. I never fully understood its true purpose until Elmund began investigating my territory, which prompted me to finally
They departed the ruins at first light, the elder traveling with them now despite her evident frailty, insisting she would rather face whatever remained of her strength dedicated to helping their cause than continue her centuries-long isolation within the mountains now that the Hollow Court had finally returned. Wren and several of her rogue Fae accompanied them as well, their shared purpose against the ancient threat forging an alliance that neither party had anticipated when their journey began."I should warn you," the elder said as they made their careful descent down the treacherous mountain paths, Elmund and two soldiers helping support her weight whenever the terrain grew particularly difficult, "the memory of where other fragments might be hidden continues returning to me gradually, the longer I remain active and engaged with this purpose after so many years of quiet isolation. I believe I may recall more useful details the further we travel from this place.""That would help
The horn's echo faded slowly into the mountain air, leaving behind a silence heavier than any that had preceded it. Gianna rose immediately, scanning the darkened ruins and the shadowed tree line beyond for any sign of what might be approaching, her hand already glowing faintly with the protective fae light she'd learned to summon instinctively whenever danger threatened."How close is it?" Elmund asked, positioning himself protectively near the elder, sword drawn once more despite the obvious fatigue still weighing on him from the earlier battle."Closer than I would like," the elder said, her ancient eyes carrying genuine concern as she struggled to rise from her seated position, only to sink back down when her injured body refused the attempt. "That horn carries a different quality than what you likely heard when the Hollow Court first announced its arrival at your own settlement. This sounds smaller, more contained. A scout, perhaps, or a lesser servant sent specifically to invest
Elmund called for Wren and her rogue Fae immediately, and within minutes the combined party had gathered around the dwelling's rear entrance, studying the scattered evidence of struggle with grim, focused attention. Wren knelt beside the scratched doorframe, running her fingers lightly over the marks before rising with an expression carrying renewed urgency."These are recent," she said. "Hours, not days. Whoever took her moved quickly, likely heading deeper into the mountains rather than back toward our protected village.""Why would they go deeper?" Gianna asked, already moving to mount her horse, desperate to begin the pursuit before any more time slipped away."There are ruins further up," the old woman from the village said, her weathered face carrying new tension as she considered the implications. "Ancient structures, older even than our own hidden settlement. We've always avoided them, considering them cursed, places where old magic lingers too strong and too dangerous for ord
Elmund signaled for the party to halt, and the guards drew their weapons with the quiet, practiced efficiency of soldiers who had already faced far worse than mountain shadows over the preceding months. The old woman guiding them stopped as well, her sharp eyes scanning the ridgeline above with an expression that carried more irritation than genuine alarm, which Gianna found strangely more unsettling than if she'd seemed afraid."They've been following since the village," the old woman said. "I noticed them before your own guard did.""Who are they?" Gianna asked, her hand still resting against her blade, eyes searching the mist-shrouded slopes above them for any further sign of movement."Not your enemy," the old woman said, though something in her tone suggested the matter was more complicated than a simple denial. "At least, not in the way you fear."Before Gianna could press further, shapes finally emerged from the tree line above, moving with deliberate, unhurried purpose down to
The mist thickened as they climbed higher into the northern mountains, swallowing the narrow trail ahead and behind in equal measure, until Gianna could barely make out the shapes of the soldiers riding only a few horse lengths in front of her. The air carried a strange, metallic taste that settled uncomfortably at the back of her throat, and every so often, the trail beneath her horse's hooves seemed to shift subtly, as though the mountain itself resented their presence and sought quietly to turn them aside."Stay close together," Elmund called back over his shoulder, his voice carrying the strain of someone fighting to maintain composure despite the unsettling environment surrounding them. "Don't let the mist separate you from the group, not even for a moment."Thistle's voice drifted softly through the pearl necklace periodically throughout that first difficult day, offering gentle corrections whenever the party seemed to be straying from the proper path, her guidance proving essen
Gianna turned around slowly.Nolan was still standing by the window, his expression unreadable in the firelight."You found him," she said."I did.""Who was it?""A council member named Broderick. He holds a seat in the lower chamber and oversees trade regulations for the outer markets."Gianna fr
Chapter FiveThe King didn't look at her again.He moved to the head of the table, sat, and the entire banquet resumed around him, everyone pretending the last five minutes had been completely normal.Gianna walked back to their seats with Cyrus's hand clamped around her elbow the entire way.He l
Chapter FourCyrus and Pietra said goodbye at the door for four full minutes.Gianna watched from inside the carriage through the small window, arms crossed, expression blank.Pietra had both of Cyrus's hands in hers. She was looking up at him saying something – Gianna couldn't hear it and honestl
Chapter ThreeGetting out of bed took longer than it should have.Evelyn hovered the entire time – hands half-raised, ready to catch her – while Gianna moved carefully, testing each step like she was walking on ice. The lump on her skull had softened slightly overnight but the unpleasant headache







