demy – East

n had never seen a

hadn't been opened in centuries, and the moment she stepped inside, the te

kness. Lanterns floated midair,

il a voice behind he

pposed to be i

tinctively stepping

with raven-black hair that fell just below his jaw, and skin so pale it almost shimmered.

n. Deep. Watching h

g," he said, al

frow

m n

in front of her.

gly cold. The glowing mark on her forearm was

t blood

smooth. Almo

you smell s

ked her h

t by announcing you

smi

hey smell li

keeping the nearest

are

llow bow. "Second Heir of the Cri

d, flashi

arm

ised an

lk like they're in

ones wit

e, like a panther paci

ispering about. The Marked girl. The

eath h

not going to bite you.

forting," s

ce-and he probably did. Most students gave the library a wide b

ch means something rare flows in

e wh

spine, and pulled it loose. The book fell open, pages turning on th

ark on her arm, standin

text

eeps below. Chosen not by fate, but by fire, s

red at th

's no

tilted

n't

ucien's mouth as he spoke-the way his lips moved around ancient word

er

em thickened. His

Blake. Why does your blood

n't k

et me f

n in his throat, pulsing slowly beneath the surface. His hand brush

ga

ered. "I-I don't

nd cold. "It's old magic. Burie

of her wanted to run. The other part wan

kiss, but to breat

an't name," he murmured. "And I'm going to find

lips brush

cie

d from the shadows.

golden eyes stepped into view. Her

tress forbade feeding

d, backing o

eding. I was

and she'll bind

en s

zzkill, Au

with m

smoldering look, eyes f

he whispered.

e woman, shadows curling

hy did she let him get that close? Why hadn't she pushe

ulsed. Not pain.

of parchment fluttered down from

up slowly, h

across the pag

I

ot sealed. Ju

felt like it was watching her. She stuffed the

ights

was

ombat Ethics, Rituals & Runes-but no answers. No mention of h

Lucien. But of course

m, a hidden chamber she stumbled into

ection... wasn't quite his. It flickered-showing different versions of him

here," he said wit

ould you,"

ion turned. Smil

ast selves," he murmure

oward her,

d if the dreams you ha

ld answer, the

lowed hot-so hot she cr

caugh

skin touched, the

ing around

bsidian, under a sky full of red stars. Seren stood in a silver dress

ere da

ainst her hair. "Even if they c

oice replied-not her voice now, b

her then. Hard. Desperate.

ugh his chest. Her magic exploding out

dark

re flung back into the pre

t of her, blood tric

ion," she whispere

n't de

" he said softly. "E

e mirror room

ing bone-white cloaks and no fac

Watc

een her and them in

dn't me

ered," one said. "Th

rror," another said. "Do you wis

n sna

, and I'll

tchers

moonrise. Until then... co

van

to her. For once, h

that?" she

life we weren't m

why

in-slower this time-br

ho cursed me, Seren. And th

art ha

?" she b

ow

rehead to hers, f

only thing that

when he leaned in. Even w

en he w

Marked or not. I will