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Memories.I shivered. For our safety, I had to ask, “What happened the night of the Collapse?”

Zayne fiddled with his armor. “It was the Longest Night,” he began. “The annual rite was when our court celebrated the monarch’s recommitment to the isle. It was supposedly an all-night party in the throne room.”

“Supposedly?”

“I was too young—I never stayed through the night. Eleanor and I had already been sent to our rooms by the time the Collapse started. Everything I know, I learned through witnesses, and as the survivors tell it…”

He cleared his throat. “The Longest Night is a rite of rebirth, but also a time of weakness. In that moment, Inarus stepped into the middle of the throne room and called uponsomething—some even claim he held a black diamond. At his call, Gloom descended.

“Simultaneously, the first Shades appeared. They invaded the throne room, attacking the court at their weakest. They held my parents down while Inarus himself gave them their Brands, marking them so deep that it immediately turned their entire bodies. Within an hour, most of the court had been turned. He slaughtered them.

“Countless Shades invaded Issa Neu and the rest of the isle. They turned most citizens, driving the rest away. And so our exile began.”

“How did you and Eleanor escape?” I asked.

“Sandra saved us.”

“Your nursemaid?”

He nodded. “There was an escape route. She led us away from the castle, but when we reached the boat…”

“The Shades branded her,” I realized.

“She bought us enough time to escape.” His gaze grew distant. “We were only ten. Eleanor and I clung to each other as the ship’s sprite drove us into the sea. We watched as Gloom’s mist desecrated our home. Screaming filled our ears while we… we ran away. Clutching each other, we repeated our family’s motto, ‘A shadow may fade, but it always remains.’”

He sat up sharply. “I gave my first oath that day. It was the foolish oath of a child. I told Sandra, ‘I will save you.’ It was a promise I couldn’t keep. I watched as the Shades slayed her.”

I shivered. An unkept oath. “What were the consequences?” I asked.

“Nothing obvious,” he admitted. “Maybe our exile was punishment enough. Or maybe it’s the weight of my regret. Watching as the Shades took Sandra…”

Zayne had loved others. Sandra and Eleanor. He had experienced deeper affection than I had ever known—more loss than I knew how to handle. I touched his arm, offering minimal contact. “I’m sorry.”

Somehow, his eyes glistened with hope. “You truly believe Eleanor is alive?”

“Yes. All the Shades have a signature of rot and decay. Eleanor is like the handkerchief, lilac.”

“That’s her.”

“I want to help,” I admitted. The omission didn’t even burn my lips; the words settled on my heart. I cared for Zayne, and despite all his loss, he cared for Eleanor. For his sake, for everyone’s sake, I wanted to help.

He walked to the door, motioning I should follow. “I have something for you.”

Curious, I followed him onto the deck. Zayne opened a crate and brought forth two swords. The hilts were simple, sturdy, with a fine grip. It was the blades themselves that drew my attention.

“The edges are wavy,” I observed, reaching forward to pick one up. “It’s so light.”

“A special steel technique from the Isle of Shadow,” he explained. “Eleanor and I found these when we unlocked the old armory. She had carried them until the Brand took her. I think they’re yours now.”

I swished the blade, turning the hilt over easily in my hand. My movement flowed. I reached for the second blade, testing the weight of them together. These lighter swords were easy to dual wield.

“They’re impressive,” I admitted, finding the first posture of my training routine, adjusting the stance so I carried the blades.

“They’re enchanted,” Zayne explained. “With a single strike, you’ll be able to take down a Shade.”

Ninti sniffed at the blade. “They’re ancient, built for a different conflict. They should help you all the same.”

I settled the swords into their scabbards, tying them to my belt. “Hopefully, I won’t need them. I would prefer to delay confrontation as long as possible.”