The Bloodbound Awakening

heek from the fogged window, her skin sticky from hours of fitful sleep. Outside, the world had turned to twilight-though her phone insisted it wa

the aisle with all the grace of a startled deer. His combat boots thudded agains

orn?" Mira muttered, shoving her well-worn copy o

our with the ghost of gummy bears-warmed her cheek. "What's

ushed him away. "If it does,

ched the cobblestones. The ground itself felt wrong-too cold, too smooth, as if the stones had been worn down by som

, her brow furrowing. "You're

uely at the crooked buildings, their gabled roofs sagging un

ck, dragging her toward the hostel. "Come on, Spooky. Lowell said they've got ac

against the stones. Elian trailed behind, her gaze s

er

fted-too tal

p, and the darkness moved. Not like

tood at the hostel door, her clipboard clutched like a shiel

but the whisper of the alley followed h

see

fire crackled in the hearth, its light dancing across the faces of carved wooden saints lining the walls.

like a sneer. "Room assignments are on the board. No noise after ten. No candles. No foolishness." Her gaze lingered on Jason, who

ir key. "Third f

by generations of travelers. Elian ran her fingers along the

eel that?"

wned. "F

.. a p

ten wood. This place is probably held

ood had thrummed under her touch, l

re. The glass was warped, distorting the view of the grotesque fountain bel

eft bed. "Dibs on the one not

ackpack down carefully, as if too

huh?" Mira's voice softe

. "Do you belie

ib

ace just fe

cross the square. "I believe in bad plumbing and sketchy Wi-Fi. But..."

ad in, his hair sticking up in wild spikes. "Lowell says di

at him. "It's a wine

ng. "Same difference

ile. "Yeah. Just.

closed, she pressed

um

, faint

not

and dark bread. The air smelled of rosemary and something earthier-mushrooms, maybe, or damp soil. Elian poked at her food, her appe

His fingers-too long, too knobby-drummed against his wine glass. "Veyr

ed. "Now we

uries ago, this valley was a sanctuary for those who practiced... older arts." He took a

clattered aga

ed in. "Y

lippery

ous resident was a nobleman they called the Night's Ki

tories for one night. Tomorrow's itinerary is packed, and I w

apestry behind Alistair. It showed a crowned figure standing

wed her gaze.

hit her l

w him?" she

adows, child. Even if they pretend otherwise." He leaned closer, hi

throat

rom the doorway, "

without a

Elian dreame

with something dark. The air stank of iron and burn

ers, yanking her

a voice

ed-and s

ong. Eyes black as pitch,

come back," the ot

nails digging into her pa

e foot of

had

of the light

shape.

in shallow bursts. T

w tilted

h

Knock

ick with sleep. "You okay

dow dis

he empty space, h

croaked. "Just

Mira's foots

k down, her s

came as she

wait