Page 6

“I don’t remember packing this,” I murmured, lifting the amulet from its velvet nest. The moment the pendant touched my palm, a whisper of warmth spread through my fingers, up my arm, and settled somewhere behind my ribs.

I noticed a piece of parchment beneath the velvet pillow and gently removed it from the box. My mother’s beautiful penmanship was immediately evident.

“My Beautiful Elvana,

This box contains ‘The Raven’s Echo’, an ancient family heirloom passed down through generations of Vale women.

It has chosen you, just as it once chose me.

Wear it close to your heart, for it will guide and protect you when the shadows grow long.

Trust in its wisdom but remember that your own strength burns brightest when darkness threatens to consume all.

With endless love,

Mother.”

I traced my finger over her elegant script, a lump forming in my throat.

My mother had never mentioned this heirloom before, yet here it was, secretly tucked into my belongings. The pendant felt warm against my skin as I fastened it around my neck, the weight of it settling against my collarbone as if it had always belonged there.

“Raven’s Echo,” I whispered, testing the name on my tongue. The smoky quartz seemed to whisper to me for just a moment—so quietly I might have imagined it.

A soft knock at my door startled me from my reverie. I hastily tucked the note into my journal and called out, “Come in.”

A petite woman opened my door and took a step inside, her snow-white hair in a loose braid over her shoulder. She wore delicate round-rimmed glasses that accentuated her wide amber eyes.

“I hope I am not disturbing you; my name is Lydia Westcott. You are Elvana Vale, correct?”

I nodded lightly and offered Lydia a polite but tight smile.

“I was at the table with Vivienne Devereux during the ceremony, and I just wanted to tell you that I have read many history books that talk about the ancient Vale women, and you deserve to be here just as much as any of us, if not more.”

I felt a flutter of surprise in my chest—both at the sudden appearance of this stranger, and at her words. The ancient Vale women? My mother had only ever spoken of our family history in vague terms, mentioning that magic ran strong in our bloodline but offering little else.

“Thank you,” I managed, my fingers unconsciously rising to touch the amulet that now hung around my neck. “Though I’m afraid I don’t know much about my family’s history.”

Lydia’s eyes lit up behind her glasses, and she took another step into the room, her gaze fixed on the pendant between my fingers.

“Is that—” Lydia started, catching herself. “May I?” She gestured toward the amulet.

I hesitated, then gave a small nod. She approached slowly, as if the air around the pendant might shift with one wrong move. She didn’t touch it—only leaned closer, eyes sharp behind her glasses.

“The Raven’s Echo,” she breathed. “I’ve only seen sketches. No one’s documented it fully.”

“You’ve read about it?” I asked, surprised.

She gave a short nod, still staring at the stone. “There’s mention of it in older texts. They say it was forged during the First Convergence—when the Veil between realms thinned. But…” she glanced at me, “most assumed it was lost.”

I frowned, fingers brushing the pendant at my throat. “My mother sent it with me. No explanation. Just a note saying it would protect me.”

Lydia blinked, then sat back slightly, expression thoughtful. “That tracks. Families with deep magic often pass things down without context. It’s their version of trust.”

I let out a quiet breath. “Or secrecy.”

She looked at me then, properly. “You really don’t know much about your own family’s history, do you?”

I shook my head. “My mother never talked about it. I knew we were Vales. That there was power in the name once. But everything else…” I trailed off.

Lydia’s expression softened—not pity, but understanding. “There are mentions of twin sisters in the Vale line. Powerful ones. Most believe they worked alongside Queen Nightlock during the war.”

“The Shadow War,” I said quietly.

“Mm.” Lydia’s gaze drifted back to the amulet. “Some think the Vales helped seal the rift between realms. Others think they created the very magic that caused it. The records conflict.”

My fingers curled slightly around the chain. “And this?”

“If it’s real, it’s one of the few artifacts from that era still intact.” Lydia’s voice dipped to something closer to awe. “Which means it’s either incredibly dangerous… or incredibly important.”

A silence settled between us, deep and threaded with something older than either of us could name.

The air in the room seemed to press down on me, making each breath feel like a conscious effort. Lydia rose from her chair with a deliberate grace, her footsteps soft on the carpet as she made her way to the doorway, turning back with a smile that was both inviting and sincere.

“Let’s meet for breakfast tomorrow,” Lydia said gently, her tone bright with easy warmth. “We could both use a friendly face. I’m in room nine—just knock when you’re ready.”

Her smile lingered at the doorway, and I returned it with a small nod of genuine appreciation.

“I’d like that. Thank you, Lydia.”

“Good night, Elvana,” she said, and then she was gone.