"Or," I countered, gripping her hand in a gesture of solidarity, "they could fortify us against any onslaught. Our doubts, our fears-they do not define us."

"Indeed, they do not," Elara echoed, squeezing my hand in return. "But we must tread carefully, with eyes wide open to the perils that accompany such revelations."

"Perils we shall overcome," I whispered, the promise binding itself to every fiber of my being. "For if our ancestors have woven our destinies together, then it is our duty to ...