Marked by His Shadows

n't tired-her entire body screamed for rest-but b

re. The whisper that felt mo

ached for the black coffee Adrian had left

hing had happened. She didn't know where he went, only that he

decided n

And if he wouldn't tell her what this "Circle" was o

ed with t

libr

ing, two-story cathedral of knowledge. Shelves towered toward the ce

inside, the door closed

ed over he

th

her n

marked Occult Lineage

in the silence. "Exactly

nned th

and Ve

teen Blo

the Sha

ritten. A

down and open

s. An entry with a sketch of a mark that looked d

wasn't

the page, some

r grew

ed itself-words twisting into fresh m

ink bled int

the Blood Moon. Her veins will call to the Cha

rec

that meant-but she knew enou

med the

e, aren't you?" said

pun a

onds ago. Tall. Pale. A wicked smile on lips too red

ho

stepping closer. "I'm no

pped back. "You're on

hey're cowards. I work for some

er sides, ready to run.

d, his smile widening. "And once it

ping at her collarbone as if he co

"Adrian. That traitorous bastar

ong to anyon

chuckled. "You do.

him, and he stepped backward-melting

ing, his voice ech

even your cursed protector can sa

-

ing when Adrian ret

could open his mouth. "And someo

fro

d he loo

he words. The way the library c

looke

"The Circle's left hand. A

e's af

inside you," Adrian

n know what

s jaw, tension k

ill walked freely, a war broke out between the Guardians and the Circle

id dryly. "You were on

ce said o

er eyes. "You w

believed we could control what lay beyond

t her

stopped it... was by

ame out. "The chained

hat the Circle summoned. But it cost him everything. He was sealed-imprisoned benea

owed. "Sev

the first flame. Each

him, breath catching.

d. "The one who can unseal

"Why me? I didn't

ecause fate is cruel. Because somethi

f I re

stepped

r way to tear open the gate.

-