Chapter 21: The Prophecy of the Blood Moon

The Prophecy of the Blood Moon

The moonlight stretched eerie shadows across the walls of Aria's chamber. Sleep had long abandoned her, replaced by the echo of Alexander's warning.

"You are not to go anywhere alone."

Not a command. A plea.

A part of her wanted to obey. She had seen the way Alexander looked at her, the way his wolf prowled just beneath his skin, barely restrained. The way his hands had trembled at his sides, as if holding back from reaching for her.

But Aria had never been one to cower behind locked doors.

She had survived him.

The one who had forged Kael. The one who had created the Shadowborn.

The one who had created her.

Her stomach twisted at the thought. No matter how much she tried to push it away, the fragmented memories would not stay buried. The sound of rattling chains. The scent of blood and damp stone. The whisper of a voice, cold and inescapable.