(Elowen POV)
I didn't sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Lyra falling—her body folding in on itself, her scream cutting off too soon. The mark burned into her chest replayed again and again, searing itself into my memory.
Kael's mark.
I told myself not to think his name.
I failed.
The forest was cold, but it wasn't what made me shiver. My body still hummed with leftover magic, like a storm that hadn't finished breaking. Every sound felt too sharp. Every shadow felt like it was watching me.
I knew he would come.
Kael always came.
I pressed my back against the trunk of an ancient tree and tried to breathe. The forest smelled damp and alive, nothing like the cold stone halls of the castle. Freedom tasted like fear.
"You're shaking."
I spun around, heart leaping into my throat.
The mage stood a few paces away, as if she had stepped out of the air itself. Her hood was down now, revealing pale skin etched with faint silver lines that pulsed gently when she moved. Her eyes were sharp, intelligent—and far too calm.
"Don't sneak up on me," I snapped.
She raised an eyebrow. "You're the one hiding in the open."
I hated that she was right.
"What do you want?" I demanded.
She studied me, gaze lingering on my wrist where the seal rested, faintly glowing beneath my skin.
"To see if you're still alive," she said. "And to see if you're ready to stop running."
"I'm not running," I said bitterly. "I'm leaving."
The mage tilted her head. "You think there's a difference."
I clenched my fists. "You said there was a cult."
"There is."
"You said they killed Lyra."
"They did."
My chest tightened painfully. "Kael—"
"Did not," she interrupted softly.
I flinched.
Don't defend him, I told myself. Don't let her confuse you.
"You didn't see what I saw," I said. "The mark. His symbol."
The mage stepped closer and crouched, pressing her fingers into the soil. Silver light flared faintly.
"That symbol was copied," she said. "Not cast."
I shook my head. "You're lying."
Her gaze lifted to mine. "If I were lying, I'd tell you he ordered it."
My breath hitched.
She stood slowly. "The cult wants you angry. Unmoored. Isolated."
"I am isolated," I snapped. "Because of him."
"Yes," she said simply. "And they're counting on that."
I turned away, nausea curling in my stomach. The truth felt too dangerous to touch. If I believed her—if I even considered that Kael hadn't killed Lyra—then I'd have to face something worse.
That he had been right.
That I had run when I shouldn't have.
That Lyra died for nothing.
"I want them dead," I whispered.
The mage's eyes sharpened. "Good."
I looked at her. "You said you'd help me understand my power."
"I will," she replied. "But not here."
She extended her hand. "My name is Seris. And if you want revenge, you'll need control."
I hesitated.
Trusting her felt reckless.
But doing nothing felt worse.
"Fine," I said. "But if you betray me—"
Seris smiled faintly. "Then Kael will kill me."
The way she said his name—without fear, without reverence—sent a strange chill down my spine.
We traveled until dawn, deeper into the forest where the trees grew twisted and old. Seris led me to a ruined watchtower half-swallowed by vines.
"This place is warded," she said. "Even he won't find us easily."
That wasn't comforting.
Inside, she drew a circle with silver dust and gestured for me to stand in it.
"Don't fight the power," she instructed. "Let it surface."
"I don't know how," I whispered.
"Neither did Lyra," Seris said quietly.
The words hit like a slap.
Anger flared.
Grief followed.
The seal on my wrist burned.
I screamed.
The circle ignited in white fire.
Power surged through me—raw, violent, ancient. Images flooded my mind: fire raining from blackened skies, dragons screaming, demons kneeling.
I collapsed to my knees, gasping.
Seris watched, unflinching.
"That power," she said softly, "is why they want you."
Tears streamed down my face. "I didn't ask for it."
"No," she agreed. "But they'll force it out of you anyway."
I looked up at her, eyes burning.
"Then I'll kill them first."
Seris nodded. "That's the spirit."
Outside, the wind howled.
And far away, something answered.
I didn't know it yet—but Kael felt the surge.
And the cult felt it too.
And soon, they would stop hiding.