Aria's POV
My hands won't stop shaking.
"Breathe, Aria," Xavier whispers, squeezing my fingers. His dark eyes are warm, reassuring. "You're going to be amazing."
I want to believe him. I really do. But standing in this ritual circle with hundreds of people staring at me, I feel like I might throw up.
The Grand Hall is packed. Every important family in the Tamer Society came to watch me bond with my spirit tonight. They expect something incredible—a Phoenix, maybe a Dragon. After all, I'm Aria Chen, daughter of the legendary Chen bloodline. The Exorcist Empress herself was my ancestor.
No pressure or anything.
"Chen family, step forward," Elder Yong announces, his voice echoing through the hall.
My father Marcus walks me to the center of the glowing circle. He's trying to hide his smile, but I can see the pride in his eyes. "This is your destiny, daughter. Make us proud."
I nod, not trusting my voice.
Xavier gives me one last encouraging look before stepping back with the other Tamers. His wolf spirit, Fenrir, materializes beside him—massive and silver, a legend brought to life. Xavier bonded with Fenrir when he was only eighteen. Everyone says we'll be the most powerful couple in history.
If I don't mess this up.
The ritual master lights the sacred candles. The air shimmers as the veil between our world and the Spirit Realm grows thin. My heart pounds so hard I think everyone can hear it.
"Spirits of the ancient world," Elder Yong calls out, "we present Aria Chen, heir to the Chen bloodline. Who will bond with this worthy soul?"
The first spirit appears—a Phoenix wreathed in golden flames. Beautiful. Majestic. Everything I dreamed about.
It glides toward me, and hope explodes in my chest.
The Phoenix stops three feet away. Its burning eyes study me for a long moment.
Then it turns around and flies away.
The crowd gasps.
Wait. What just happened?
"Perhaps the Phoenix wasn't compatible," Elder Yong says quickly. "Let us call another."
A Dragon spirit materializes next—scales gleaming silver, power radiating from every inch. It approaches the circle.
And stops.
And leaves.
My stomach drops.
"This is... unusual," Elder Yong mutters.
One by one, spirits appear. A Kitsune. A Tiger. A Serpent. Each one approaches. Each one looks at me.
Each one rejects me.
The whispers start quietly, then grow louder.
"What's wrong with her?"
"Is she sick?"
"I've never seen anything like this."
My face burns. This can't be happening. This is supposed to be my night. The night I prove I'm worthy of the Chen name.
Elder Yong's hands shake as he activates the spiritual energy reader—a crystal device that measures a person's power level. He holds it near me.
The crystal stays dark.
Completely dark.
"Zero," he whispers. "The reading is... zero."
The hall explodes with noise.
"Spiritually dead!"
"How is that possible?"
"The Chen bloodline must be cursed!"
I feel like the ground is disappearing under my feet. Spiritually dead. Those words echo in my head, getting louder and louder.
My father's face has gone pale. Not with concern—with horror. With shame.
"This is impossible," he says, backing away from me. Away from his own daughter. "She passed all the preliminary tests. She should be powerful!"
I reach for him. "Dad, please—"
"Don't touch me!" He slaps my hand away.
The crowd gasps again, but this time it's not surprise. It's judgment.
Someone grabs my arm, spinning me around. Xavier. Thank God, Xavier will—
"We need to talk. Now." His voice is cold. Ice cold.
His grandfather appears beside him, whispering furiously in his ear. I catch fragments: "—can't marry her now—" "—family reputation—" "—cut ties immediately—"
"Xavier?" My voice cracks. "What's happening?"
He looks at me, and the warmth from five minutes ago is completely gone. His eyes are empty.
"I'm sorry, Aria." He doesn't sound sorry at all. "But I can't marry someone with no spiritual power. Our engagement is over."
The world stops.
"What?" I grab his shirt, desperate. "Xavier, no. We love each other. You said you'd always stand by me. You promised—"
"That was before I knew you were defective." He pulls away from my grip. "I need someone who can stand beside me as an equal. You're... nothing."
Each word is a knife.
"But last night—" Tears stream down my face. "We were together. You said—"
"Last night was a mistake." His face is carved from stone. "Goodbye, Aria."
He turns and walks away.
I stand there, shaking, unable to breathe. This isn't real. This can't be real.
Then I hear her voice.
"Oh, don't be so sad, sister."
Celeste steps forward from the crowd, her golden hair shining, her green eyes glittering with victory. My half-sister. My father's favorite daughter from his second marriage.
She walks right up to Xavier and takes his arm.
"I'll take good care of him for you," she says, smiling sweetly at me. Then she whispers, just loud enough for me to hear: "Did you really think you'd win?"
Something in her voice. Something knowing. Triumphant.
"What did you do?" I whisper.
Her smile widens. "Happy birthday, Aria. I gave you exactly what you deserve."
Before I can respond, my father's voice booms across the hall.
"The Chen family formally disowns Aria Chen, effective immediately. She is no longer our heir. No longer our daughter. She brings shame to our bloodline."
The room spins.
"Dad, please—"
"You have one week to remove yourself from Chen property," he says, not even looking at me. "Guards, escort her out."
Two security guards grab my arms. The crowd parts, everyone staring, whispering, judging.
As they drag me toward the exit, I see Celeste lean up and kiss Xavier's cheek.
He lets her.
The last thing I hear before the doors slam shut is laughter.
My vision blurs with tears as the guards release me at the front gate. I collapse on the cold stone steps, my white ceremonial robes dirty and torn.
Spiritually dead.
Unwanted.
Abandoned.
I wrap my arms around myself and sob until there's nothing left inside.
I don't know how long I sit there. Hours maybe.
Eventually, I stand on shaking legs and start walking. I have no idea where I'm going. I just need to move. To get away from this place and everyone in it.
My phone buzzes. A text from my bank: Account frozen by family authority.
Then another text.
From an unknown number.
The spirits didn't reject you because you're weak, Aria Chen. They rejected you because you're too strong. Only one being in this world is powerful enough to bond with you. And he's been waiting 500 years.
Find the Old Bridge at midnight if you want the truth. Come alone.
—M
My hands shake as I read it again.
Too strong? That's impossible. The crystal said zero.
But something deep in my chest—some instinct I can't explain—tells me this message is real.
I check the time: 11:47 PM.
Thirteen minutes to decide if I'm brave enough—or desperate enough—to find out what this means.
I look back at the Grand Hall, where everyone I loved just destroyed me.
Then I start running toward the Old Bridge.
I have nothing left to lose.