air in the room felt heavy, charged with something unspoken. Her parents-no, the people she ha

the walls. Outside, the wind howled, rattling the windows

through his graying hair. "Ava, what I'm about to tell you..

ct screamed at her to run, but she stayed roote

a pulled away, her pulse racing. "Ava, we love

like a blow. Ava'

aking her head. "No. That

meant to be raised in this world. You belong

wn her spine.

embled. "The Kin

rippling through Ava's body, like

your real mother-was not just anyone. She was the Great Sorc

a grabbed the table

er mother was

she murmured. "I'm

h unshed tears. "You don't understand,

"No. No, that's not possible. If she w

"Because she died th

mach twis

storm brewed in

as bet

amed Selvina. When your mother was at her weakest-when she was bringing you into this world-Selvina struck. She stole

ody wen

one. A war she had never k

efore she died, she begged us to take you far away-to hide you where even magic coul

shattering into pieces. "All thi

"No, Ava. Our love fo

has awakened what was always inside you. The world you were hidden from

t be safe

lood ra

if something had heard those words-so

ble, her breath shallow. "Then

ering lig

outside carri

is a