Scarlett’s POV

The room is quiet, lit only by the flickering light of the ancestral stones I brought from the training chamber. Their energy hums softly, vibrating through the floor and into my bare feet. I can feel Kieran’s presence beside me, steady but taut, like a drawn bow. His aura flickers faintly in response to the stones, reflecting his hesitation and curiosity.

“Breathe,” I instruct, holding my hands out in front of me. My voice is soft, but it carries weight. “Feel the ...