Lyal

th, my head whirlpool of uncertainty and anxiety. The events of the previous evening had worried me, and the dama

d triplets-Kaelan, Lucian, and Darius-were now entwined with my fate, not only strong personalities. It was both frightening and

, I opened it slowly. Shockingly, Kaelan stood there

, my voice barely st

side so he might walk in. His presence permeated the room,

"We need to talk." My hands clenched in my lap, I sat acr

rt, I asked. Kaelan's manner hinted th

trying to undermine our attempts at unity and know of our efforts. The

ack. "These opponents are who?

g the prophecy. They think they might keep their power and control by upsettin

at it, my heart skipping a beat at the sender-an unidentified number. The brief w

Kaelan, whose eyes had darkened in anxiety. "I

ve to get out right now. More se

spond. He looked outdoors, his keen eye sweeping the surrounding

ontrast to the stress in the gap separating us. Kaelan's quiet said volumes as we negotiated Si

orce and influence. Kaelan guided me across the large grounds from the striking gates as we e

ng with books and relics. Looking up as we entered, Lucian was sullen and had keen eyes. With his domina

," his voice low and gra

, his voice dark. " Someone is aimin

ace incomprehensible. Are you sure

g increasingly hostile. They understand that should

y here, where we can guard you. The estate is under g

a fortification, I became tense knowing I was a target. I was now trapped in t

e house was both astounding and consoling, I couldn't get rid of the sense of approaching per

ng out of the room toward the noise source, my heart pounded. Alre

urity. Guards and staff were running about in the disorderly scene trying to react. As they f

s the noise. Before I could respond, though, one of the in

h me. Lucian, though, quickly caught the invader and tackled him with great wil

f the invaders was subdued. Kaelan looked at me, his

ng. Indeed, but what is occurring he

rate. They are aware that their chances to keep control will vani

from materializing, the opponents were ready to intensify their activities

couldn't quite put in place-his fingers brushing over mine. "We have to dete

"I would like to volunteer." I cannot sim

ed to lighten. "We'll require your assistance, Amara. Still, you have to guarantee

g dragged on. From the sidelines, I watched while my thoughts spun with the ramifications of what had ha

t just strong leaders; they were now my partners in an ongoing struggle far from over. And I sensed the stirrings of a con

I couldn't get rid of the sense that the real test of our wil