The Fire That Chose Me
Old in a way time couldn’t touch.
“You brought her,” the woman said. Not a question. A fact.
“I said I would,” Aiden replied, stepping aside so Evelynn was fully visible.
The woman tilted her head, studying Evelynn with a mix of curiosity and quiet sorrow. “So you’re the fire’s chosen.”
Evelynn swallowed. “I didn’t choose it.”
“None of us ever do,” she said softly, stepping closer. “But that doesn’t mean it didn’t choose well.”
She circled Evelynn once, then stopped in front of her. Gently, she took Evelynn’s hand and turned it over, revealing the glowing mark beneath her wrist.