The forest was quiet except for the crunch of dried leaves beneath Lia’s weary steps. Her heart was still unsteady from the conversation she’d had with the strange man,Varian, the wizard who had revealed truths she didn’t even know how to process.

His words clung to her like chains and wings all at once.

You are no mistake, Lia. You are a Shapeshifter. Your power is bound, but it waits for the blood or heart of your mate to awaken.

The memory of his silver eyes lingered, mysterious and ...