The veil between worlds closed with a soft hum behind them. The Mirror Realm faded, leaving only the familiar weight of night air and the scents of pine and earth in its place. Aria clutched Caleb’s hand tightly as they stepped onto the Circle’s sacred grounds—changed, marked by truths not even the stars dared whisper.

The others greeted them with tentative relief. Rowan’s brow furrowed, watching Caleb closely, as if sensing something beyond what words could capture. Solene stood ...