a Lan

to knock politely. It was t

ing this moment for years. Her presence alone made something ancient rattle in my ribs. It was not just

trap. Elias lingered by the gate, watching h

r. My voice cracked down the middle. "S

er your pillow because you thought their shells held secrets. I never told your fa

never left the locked box of childho

o steady, too sad. "I did n

shifted.

who.

ed back

be if the years had not paused for her. But it

ical to the one on my shoulder. But her

ot die easy," she said. "They are

o Dominic.

d. The records said she vanish

, her voice low. "It was hidden for a reason. Your awa

snapped. "What is a C

od. She stepped through the gate. The

oak and pulled out a vi

er. It calls to you because you carry it too. You are the first Crux born in

"You are sayin

am saying you are

r his breath. "She

already here. Now wh

on. "We start with the t

erent when Isla walked i

r hands touched the books. The stones. She stopped at the fireplace, where the mar

. "It was once a temple. Built on bones. Powered by

table between us. Dominic and Elias flanked oppo

cking," I said. "The part

before their powers awakened. Some used. Some bred. Some bled dry for rit

o him. "Is

all sins are inheri

aken from one of the last surviving elders. It can amplify yo

linch. "Giv

u drink, you cannot uns

sleep with

ps. Bitter, like rust and ash.

e worl

the

ashes, bu

d, standing in a circle of flame.

a child by the wrist. Not me. But s

fore a burning tree. His hands

oice that sounded like mine but echoed with someth

y nails had du

elt bes

saw

still alive. The

rowned. "

ok. She is not dead. She is hidden. And sh

"We thought s

new?"

found her. She would be about your a

we find her. And we stop wh

The Council is already watching us. Any mistake,

d up th

top making

, I could

. Because I was alive in

e mourning something they had not yet lost. In

. The one from the satchel. The

. Clone. I d

ould fi

it kil

face wakes inside a blood-lit cell. Her eyes burn gold. Her