Chapter 20: What She Becomes When She Chooses
They brought Rafe to the threshold chamber.
He took one look at the door and went still.
"Isla," he said carefully, "whatever they've told you—"
She stepped into his arms.
"I'm not opening it for them," she whispered.
"Then why are we here?"
"Because I'm opening it for me."
He searched her face.
"What happens when you do?"
She lifted her eyes.
"I stop being what they think I am."
She turned toward the door.
Placed her hand on the stone.
The world inhaled.
The pull surged—not outward.
Inward.
Into her.
The carvings burned with light.
The air bent.
The ground trembled.
And Isla did not disappear.
She stood.
Unbroken.
Awake.
Rafe felt it.
Not power.
Presence.
When she turned back, her eyes were the same.
But something behind them was no longer sleeping.
"This ends," she said.
Alarms screamed.
Stone cracked.
Men shouted.
Alaric stared.
Not triumphant.
Terrified.
"What have you done?" he whispered.
Isla reached for Rafe's hand.
"I chose."
And the cage began to fall apart.