For the first time, Jayden felt a flicker of relief. He’d been carrying so much—fear, confusion, anger—all bottled up inside with no one to share it with. Now, finally, there was someone who might have the answers he’d been desperately searching for.

As they walked together, Emric led Jayden toward the lake. The moon hung high above, its reflection shimmering on the water’s surface like molten silver. The scene was serene, a stark contrast to the chaos brewing within ...