The cavern was silent.

Not empty. Not lifeless.

But filled with a power that had been waiting.

Waiting for her.

Lyla exhaled slowly, her silver eyes locked onto Caelum.

"The Elders feared us."

Not a question.

A fact.

Caelum nodded. "They feared what we could become."

The other Bloodmarked stood still, watching, listening.

Jorah’s voice was low. "And what exactly were you becoming?"

Caelum’s gaze flickered to him not with hostility, but with something close to ...