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“When do we start?”

“Tomorrow.”

She accepts this with the same remarkable adaptability that has fascinated me since the tower. Despite everything she’s witnessed, from violence to magic to plotting, she doesn’t retreat. She chooses to move forward, to what she might learn and control.

It is this, more than prophecy or power, that will matter in the days to come. Because whatever flows through her veins,whatever connection exists between us, it responds to her will, untrained but potent.

And will, when honed to purpose, has toppled kingdoms before.

Chapter Twenty-Five

ELLIE

“The Vein does not break. It recedes. Wait long enough, and it returns.”

Sayings of the Earthvein Sages

I pacethe stone floor of the room Sacha assigned as mine, each footfall echoing my racing heartbeat. The memory of the lightstone exploding replays in my mind. The crack, the burst of silver, the stunned silence. They cleared away the fragments and continued their meeting, but their eyes kept returning to me, wary and questioning.

I’m changing. I can’t pretend it’s just fear or adrenaline anymore. It’s real. It’s pulling at the magic here, warping it when my emotions slip. The silver-light that sparked through my skin wasn’t imagination. The way the lightstone burst wasn’t coincidence.Everyonesaw it. The mixture of fear, curiosity, and suspicion on their faces confirmed what I didn’t want to admit.

I’m becoming something unpredictable, something that doesn’t belong in my understanding of how the world is supposed to work.

A firm knock interrupts my spiral. Before I can answer, the door swingsopen and Sacha steps inside, his movements crisp, controlled, already reshaping the energy in the room just by existing in it.

“A gathering has been organized for this evening.” His voice carries that unmistakable tone that isn’t quite a command, but expects compliance anyway. “To mark my return and boost morale.”

“Aparty?” The idea seems absurd, given our circumstances. “In the middle of all this?”

“What better time to do it?” His fingers move absently, shadows gathering at his fingertips. Something that’s been happening more and more. “Hope is a resource that’s just as valuable as weapons or information. Perhaps, more so. The Authority has taken everything from these people except their belief that someday things might change.”

Something flickers across his face—responsibility, maybe guilt. Although that’s probably just me imagining it.

“My return reminds them that not everything they fought for was lost.”

His face is as unreadable as ever, but there’s a tightness around his mouth that makes me wonder how much of this celebration is for them, and how much is for him.

“What does any of that have to do with me?” I already suspect I know the answer.

“Your presence will be expected. Lisandra has arranged for the appropriate attire.”

I blink at him. “Appropriate attire? You mean like what … apartydress?”

“The Veinwardens here keep supplies for various situations, including formal gatherings.”

I snort. “You’re telling me there’s a secret stash of formalwear for fugitives?”

He doesn’t smile. “Appearances matter. Particularly in times of upheaval.”

Before I can say anything else, there’s another knock on the door. It swings open to reveal a young woman with intricate braids woven through her dark hair, and her arms full of fabric.

“Vashira.” She gives a small courtesy. “Kavir meresh selurin.”

Sacha nods to her, and they exchange a few words before he turns back to me.

“She wants to get your measurements for your dress.”

“You’re seriously concerned about what I’m going to wear to this thing?”