er voice smooth but laced with curio

r voice cautious as she studi

saw," Astra said, her tone firm but no

nes on the walls cast an otherworldly light, and the faint scent o

ry from her trance. "It was... glowing. The moonlight was so brigh

?" Astra leaned forward,

in her mind. "And my eyes-they were blue, not dark like they are now. I was wearing a whi

ly on the table, her brow fu

"They looked like wolves, but they weren't. Their bodies were darker, almost li

d, the word slipping fr

owned.

said, 'My lord. I didn't know you were coming back, but don't worr

hough she quickly masked her rea

n't remember. I think that's when I woke up." She hesi

. Her gaze had drifted past Nina

ted, her voice ting

ice lacked conviction. She clapped her hands, summoning two servants who entered the room silentl

ted, though a part of her was re

ra said, her tone leavi

amber. Deep down, she didn't want to leave either-this place,

sight, Astra left the chamb

hed him near the sanctuary's training groun

Astra said, crossing her arms. "A

his head. "Wha

n years. For them to appear in her memory, and for that to be the first

post. "Relax, sis. You've always been a pessimist

d omen. You're going to need my pessimism more than you think. You're going to be the next alpha one day. It'

He's got at least another hundred years in him

still responsible for t

r words. "How about I take her around the territ

"If she's tied to ghouls, being a

th a smirk. "Besides, I saved her lif

e bridge of her nose. "I

Lucian said with a

felt strange, almost too golden, as if it wasn't the same sun she'd known on E

wed by it swinging open. "Rise and shin

anket, squinting at him. "Do you

ot plans," Lucian

g up and rubbing he

tour of the territo

" she echoe

stepping back. "Get dressed

was the best way to see the sanctuary. She clung to the reins t

ams that shimmered like liquid silver, and fields dotted with mystical creatures-pixies flitting about in glowing clusters, trolls lumbering

Which country are we in?" Nina as

er here. We name them after their rulers. Like this territory we

oddly familiar on her tongue. "I've never h

we're you're fro

eign place? That's where we are right no

u but you're not on eart

oing to take me home after this

hen I'm not sure I can take

other will be looking for me. She'll think something

oticed your absence yet. Time flows differently here. A week here could just be a few h

on Earth anymore?" Nina asked, still

Lucian explained. "Think of it like a hidden laye

d I get here

still can't figure

k home?" Nina asked, pan

ou will." Lucia

u be sure?"

ssible." Lucian said with a smile. "Come

-

of the sanctuary, speaking in hushed t

e ghouls are coming back," A

at?" the figure asked, t

someone is on the verge