Night came early that day.

Not because the sun fell but because the world closed its eyes.

The sky dimmed like breathing glass. The wind stopped. Every sound faded until silence had weight. Even Kael’s fire went out without smoke.

Only the Moonfire child still glowed.

She stood in the center of the courtyard, her light pulsing softly like a heartbeat.

“It’s beginning,” she whispered.

Kael’s hand found mine. His voice was rough. “What’s beginning?”

“The world,” she said. ...