wer, hiding it under a stack of old letters. I would figure this out, no m

rlwind of thoughts, theories, and fears, but no matter how much I turned it over, I c

threat, but it also felt like a challenge. As if someone was daring me to keep

ns, I had made up my mind. I was going to confront Marcus. I needed t

history that could shed light on these

through me, but I pushed it aside. This wasn't just abou

personal grudge. And if I had to swallow my p

ket and boots, and headed out the do

and bustle of the day still hours away. I made my way

sitated for a moment, my hand

eve me? I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the

passed, and then I heard footsteps approaching from the other side. Th

s voice flat. "What

g the words out before my nerves could

g me to enter. I walked into the office, the familiar scent of leather and wood filli

his arms as he leaned against the desk. "

d I think there's more going on than we realize. Last night, I found a note-som

his expression skeptic

cket and handing it to him. "But whoever it is, they're serious. And I thi

, his eyes narrowing. "This could be a pra

his gaze. "This is real, Marcus. And it's

t you expect me to do. The prophecy is clear. If you lead,

to the surface. "And right now, we're all at risk. You need to stop hi

ee the weight of his position bearing down on him, the struggle between

r side of the door. It was Gideon, th

his expression hard

. "Another attack. This time, it's cl

feeling colder. Another attack, and

voice all business now. "Double the guards

ed to me, his expression softening. "Be careful,

gh the fear gnawing at me

dness in his eyes returning. "This is exactly why I can't risk you as Lun

so focused on this prophecy that you're blind to what's happening right in front o

ld. "What if the prophecy is real, and by involving yo

but with a conviction that surprised e

of everything unsaid hung between us, a heavy, oppressive presence. But b

bright eyes shadowed with worry. "S

urgency in her voice sendin

t me. "It's Lysa. She found someth

g Elena out of the office and down the hallway, my heart poundi

was thick with tension, the kind that made the hairs on the back of your neck sta

waving me over. "Y

everyone so rattled. There, in the middle of the training grounds, was a symbo

that had been scrawle

sked, my voice bare

troubled. "I don't know. But whoev

of what I knew. The attacks, the prophecy, the note-everything was conn

ean? And why had

Elena nudged me, her face pale.

ading what she was a

It was another note, the edges crumpled and the ink sm

s I unfolded the paper. The words were b

. Now, suffer t

shing down on me like a tidal wave. Someone was watching me, someone who

this wasn't just threatening me; they were threatening the entire pack. And i

ng to let this go unanswered. Whoever was behind this thought they could scare me

were

going to