t beside him, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, watching her town disappear in the rearview mirror. She had nothing-no bags, n

whispered: this was exactly

, until even the stars above began to look unfamiliar. Trees grew taller, wilder. The mo

silence. "Wher

ity that doesn't exist on any human map. It's hidden bet

it's real? All of it- Lycan

g you've known," he sai

emories- Garrett's smirk, Mrs. Harrow's cold shoulder, the endless grey o

nged there,"

at's because you were ne

ow it stretched a vast chasm filled with silver mist. A

rom here,"

ed him out.

ed. "Not

it up. The air shimmered, rippled, and then the mists parted

ed. "Is it

u're meant

. "What happe

u f

t the steps.

rust me?"

dered, but she

ped onto

feet, not in weight, but in memory. Every step forward came with a whisper, a ghost of a life s

cross, sh

ge tests you. It wants to know i

es

yes unreadable. "We'r

step was t

the cliffside an enormous archway carved from obsidian and bone

against it. "Kael Thorne. Bloodsworn Guar

unes

rk burned

e groan

city of twiligh

do

nlight and crystal. Creatures with wings, horns, and cloaks some humans, some no

aught in her thr

," Kael said. "If

o him. "What

"They'll see your mark. They'll remember

the r

want yo