Mark Of Vesper

Like a stone statue, he stood guard at

n the mossy log. The skin around it felt hot-too hot-but not painful. Jus

rned to her, his fac

ve this region.

just vanish. I have a li

el interrupted quiet

d. "What d

ts. The ones hunting you? They've erased entire bloodlines without leaving a t

ightened. "You

already looked into your life

eart

red. "I have neither powers nor t

y you're dangerous." "The mark you carry is ancient. There are those who believe you're a

around herself. "So what now?

u come with me. There's a pl

. "Why should

Because you are only

Aria realized she didn't have the luxury

if you tr

said quickly.

under her boots. Wind whispered warnings through the trees. They arrived a

dorned with faded inscriptions and its stairs heading into the ground, it appeared to be an old shr

ed. "What is

ied. "Or it used to be.

some unsettling, covered the walls. When he stepped inside, the lantern

'll stan

y. "Is it rea

r n

ughts were a storm. Then, like a chill brushing her mind, she heard a

es wide. Kael

t is

eard a

our h

long moment, then said, "The gate

k wasn't just a mark. It was

. The mark pulsed under her fingers, beati

he voice sa

rd. "It said, 'Yo

tightened.

her voice barely stea

y. He began pacing slowly, c

a seal. A very old one. Placed on people

"You speak as if

oftly. "But somethin

ld her

cked out during intense emotions? Ever felt like somet

ng her in the kitchen. Her panic. And then... nothing. Just the aftermath: him on the grou

just traumatize

the first time it s

ed. Aria looked down

t is

led it inside you. Now the seal is weaken

man in t

rained to find hosts like you an

"What happen

reply. He di

now?" s

e one who m

ne who knows w

ago. But she left clues-runes, scrolls, dreams. If we follow them, we

f we c

. Until we c

stood. "Okay. Wh

spread it on the bench. It was a map-hand-drawn, with rivers, forests, an

Temple of the First Tongue. Buried benea

cursed territ

the truth buried. Which means we'

e lantern dimmed. A low gr

eet, dagger drawn

art pound

the mark now. We

rom the ceiling. Kael grabbed her hand

's a hidden exit

raping of stone by claws became more audi

rst into the open night. Li

Then it came-a shriek. Inhuman. Ageless

nees buckled as her

p. "Don't give in!" he shouted

ion was alr

s was the last thing she saw before everything turned bl

been