Page 23

“Clearly,” Rethlyn said, waving his hand in an exasperated gesture. “Why else would we tolerate these void burns?”

“They allow you to absorb the shadows… the ones a Duskbound shares with you?”

Vexa nodded.

“Where are all the others? There must be more. Someone is supplying you with shadows currently. Why do you need me?”

“Because she’s weak. She won’t be able to do it for much longer,” Effie cut in. Vexa’s face shot in her direction as her eyes narrowed.

“Careful, Effie,” Vexa whispered sharply.

“No, I told you. I want to knoweverything. So tell me.”

“There used to be more,” Rethlyn murmured, only half paying attention. “But they dwindled over the years. The crusadescertainlydidn’t help.”

“Crusades? What happened to them?” It felt deliberate—the way they spoke, revealing just enough to hint at the truth while keeping the rest shrouded in secrecy. And that wasnotthe agreement.

“They were seen as a threat to those in power," Vexa said, hertone sharp. "In Umbrathia, the throne has always been held by a Duskbound. To keep it that way, the ruling class decided to hunt down and eliminate any others. Easier to secure your position when no commoner can rise to challenge it." She rolled her eyes, the disdain in her expression unmistakable.

“But there have been others? Others born throughout the realm?”

“Not in over a century. Not outside that bloodline.” Aether’s voice was level but tinged with something dark.

“Not until you—” Vexa began, just as a sharp clicking sound echoed from the corner of the room. The door creaked open then, and a smaller man in black robes hurried into the space, several ancient-looking books clutched to his chest. The formal cut of his clothing was different from the Umbra's leathers, more scholarly than militant.

"What is so urgent?" his quivering voice demanded as he approached the table. "You know it's possibly theworsttime for me to be away from the Citadel." He set his books down with careful movements.

He halted mid-step when his eyes fell on me, and his attention darted between the others before settling on Aether.

"Relax, Talon." Vexa smirked. "We simply require your services."

"Why is she not restrained?" Talon nearly shrieked.

"She's under my protection." Aether's voice was low and even, though there was an edge to it that warned against argument.

"Personally, I think we should really consider this wholerestraintidea." Effie flipped her hair, turning her heated gaze onto Vexa and jerking her chin towards me, gesturing dramatically with wide eyes.

"She's harmless," Aether said simply.

Harmless?I briefly considered snatching Vexa’s knife from the table and burying it in his hand.

“Wait until Urkin finds out! That doesn’t give you the right to?—”

“Are you his second in command?” Aether questioned, cocking his head slightly to the side. “No, I believe that’sme.”

“We need you to observe her,” Vexa chimed in, ignoring both the glare from Effie and the tension so obviously brewing between the two men.

“For what possible reason?” the man asked.

“She’s a Duskbound.” Vexa’s words cut through the air, followed by several seconds of complete silence.

“Impossible,” Talon muttered, slouching into his robes. “That’swhy you requested me? You all keep saying that, but it simplycannotbe true.”

“But,” Vexa continued, “that’s not all. She also has atether.”

“It can’t be both, you know that as well as I. I have never come across such a thing. Not in any of the ancient texts,” he said, crossing his arms. “You really dragged me all the way over here for these baseless assumptions?”

“You’re already here. Justobserveher. Or whatever it is you call it,” Rethlyn cut in, sighing in exasperation as he sank into one of the chairs.