KAIRO
The warning came before dawn.
Carved into the gatepost in something that wasn't blood, but burned like it.
A circle.
A throne.
A crown upside down.
And beneath it, one word scorched into the wood:
> "Mine."
I stood with two of my warriors, fists clenched at my sides.
The scent on the air was familiar — old ash, herbs, and something that reminded me of broken promises.
Ren hissed between his teeth.
> "It's a summoning mark."
I nodded once. "But not for me."
Back in the War Room, Elder Merek was already waiting.
"You know what this means," he said flatly. "The cloaked one has returned."
---
LYRA
I couldn't sit still.
I hadn't told Kairo yet — but the visions weren't dreams anymore.
They were memories.
---
I remembered her hands — the woman from the fire dream.
Long fingers, cold rings, eyes like mine but colder.
I remembered her voice too.
> "You are not to burn unless commanded."
But I had disobeyed her.
And someone had paid the price.
I stepped out into the courtyard, just in time to feel it.
A shift in the air. Like static.
The shadows near the south border rippled.
And from them, someone stepped out.
Not a wolf. Not fully human.
Something else.
A tall figure in a gray cloak.
I couldn't see their face.
But I could feel their gaze — piercing straight through my ribs.
They stopped just outside the barrier, smiling.
And then they whispered:
> "She lives.
But does she remember?"
Kairo was there in seconds, stepping in front of me.
His voice was thunder.
> "Name yourself."
But the figure only laughed.
> "Names are for the forgotten.
I came for the girl who burns."
He moved fast — shifting halfway, claws out.
But the figure didn't flinch.
Instead, they pulled back their hood just slightly — revealing lips stained red and eyes like hot coals.
Then they pointed at me.
> "The throne never forgets its heir."
Before Kairo could strike, the figure vanished.
Smoke.
Gone.
Not a scent left behind.
He turned to me, breath ragged.
> "What did they mean?" he demanded.
I couldn't speak.
Because in that moment… a flash of memory hit me like fire to bone.
---
I was small.
A child.
Running through a temple.
Chasing someone who looked like my mother.
But when I caught up… she turned.
Not with love.
But with fear.
> "You weren't supposed to live," she said.
"You were supposed to burn with the rest."
I dropped to my knees, clutching my head.
The pain was white-hot.
And the mark on my chest? It was glowing.
---
Kairo dropped beside me, gripping my shoulders.
"Lyra—look at me. Focus. What did you see?"
I met his eyes, my voice barely a breath.
> "I wasn't adopted."
"I was hidden."