The cave trembled as if the mountain itself had awakened. Aria stood frozen, her breath forming frost in the air. Caleb’s hand tightened around hers as the ancient seal dissolved into ash, revealing the chamber beyond—a wide, circular cavern veined with glowing lunar crystal and silver filigree etched into the stone.

At the center, suspended in a cocoon of light, was a figure.

She floated, hair weightless, silver eyes closed. But it wasn’t Mara.

It was someone else. Familiar.

Aria ...