w lit the obsidian walls, casting flickering shadows across the room. Behind her, the throne of the Dragon King

asn't sit

t

the ancient Council of Embers. Each one represented a different

cred lineage?" hissed one of them-an old mal

orne said, standing beside

fed another. "Whis

ter. "I didn't ask

m fell

Trial of Flame. I fought the Wraithspawn, and I'm still standing. If that

chamber. Thorne's mouth

eyes, finally spoke. "You wield the dagger of Ember. The fire reco

," Thorne

eady at her side-unshakable

n," said the el

-

the stone corridor, trying to steady her breath

uttered, "but I didn't think they'd

unkindly. "But that's exactl

s together. "I'm not t

id. "You just need to be. Let

"Is that what you did w

it kept the realms from t

him. "How did you even

passed across his fac

d the la

a bli

idn't el

to cross you,

"Cross me, Selena. Challenge me. I'd

-

rystal garden-an eerie and beautiful place w

dragons," she said, handing Selena a sma

mile. "Thanks. My head's been po

. The mark isn't just unlocking your

owned. "R

tincts. You're becomi

e still hers, but the way they pulse

y I've been

Seraya's e

never been. A forest. A mirror that bl

ked deeply

s the

e w

s world and the one you

he Wraithspawn... they didn't ju

es, the world you left behind will

-

r chamber-the same one from her dream. The frame was ca

vered inches f

n, it c

r reflection

ack that had

e ridge of the Silverfang

hing that made

shackled to a post. Her hai

si

a breathed.

el kneeling before a dark-robe

awakened. But she's not the omega

was distorted, like wind

stroyed before she r

ror sha

ed back, her

y k

as alive-but that s

ey had

marching fro

-

the map room, studying a glow

back," she sa

k up. "To the

orking with someone-something

t's too soon. You haven't

a snapped. "She's the

le

we go back, it won't be as all

e said. "But I'm n

her for a long mo

leave a