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“At the bottom of the lake, you will find your answer. Die trying, and you will never know.” My boots were nearly halfway off the ledge, hand gaped out—

Damien yanked me back. “What the hell are you doing? You’ll get yourself killed or skinned out here,” he said with such demand I knew he was next in line to become a Summer heir.

“There’s something down there,” I whispered, eyeing over his tensed shoulder.

“Severyn, it’s a lake.” Damien furrowed his brows, and a silent plea dangled on his parted lips. “There is nothing in those waters. There are dark forces within the forests. They can mimic people you know. If anything, you’ll drown the moment you step inside.”

I choked out a loud breath as we got further from the lake. “I don’t know what happened.”

Damien shoved me aside as a faceless grey creature swiped at us with three long talons.

Purple veins struck through its core, crackling like lightning behind dense smog.

A visible, beating heart pulsed in its chest as it struck again.

Two more beasts lunged out from the forest, their movements erratic and lethal.

Damien unsheathed his sword, driving it straight into one of their cores.

Winged bones fluttered wildly. Rows of jagged fangs snapped inches from his face before black fluid spilled onto the ground. A guttural hiss escaped from the creature’s gaping mouth as it collapsed. Damien turned sharply, slicing into the second beast.

“We—we should run!” I screamed, my voice cracking.

Damien shot me a sideways glance, his silver sword poised. “When I said you fascinated me, Sev—I didn’t mean this.”

“I’m happy to disappoint you,” I retorted, taking a shaky step back. My eyes locked on Damien as he swung his blade again, slashing at the relentless beasts. “Now, let’s get the hell out of here! ”

The creatures dropped to all fours, hissing as they hurled themselves toward us. We sprinted onto the trail, their wrinkled torsos slamming into the barrier like rain against a glass window, unable to breach the enchanted divide.

I collided with Damien’s chest, winded and disoriented. Staggering back, his hand shot out, gripping my shoulders to steady me as I trembled.

“What the hell were those things?” I yelled, breathless.

He dropped his hand, annoyance flashing across his face.

“Damnit, what were you thinking? Rule one: never enter the forests unless you know you can defend yourself. A small dagger wouldn’t even scratch a death dweller’s skin.

” His gaze flicked back toward the beasts, now retreating into the shadows.

“I heard a voice in my head,” I whispered, my throat tight. “It lured me there.”

“Not everything your mind hears is real,” he said, sheathing his sword with a sharp motion. “I’m not sure what you Winters do, but in Summer, we fear beasts like that.”

As we caught our breath, we continued walking along the trail. “It—it sounded real,” I muttered, my cheeks flushing with heat. The voice lingered in my mind, a raw and desperate whisper I couldn’t shake.

“You’ll have a nasty rash wherever those vines grabbed you,” Damien said, his tone casual, though his eyes scanned the trail ahead. “I bet plants don’t try to kill you in Winter?” He chuckled dryly.

“I think the cold would kill them before they grew limbs.” My voice wavered with unease as I noticed the weapons strapped to the other students passing by—daggers, swords, even spears. Nervousness prickled my skin. “I shouldn’t be here,” I murmured under my breath.

We reached the base camp for Summer, where twelve cabins stood in a clearing. Palm trees swayed gently in the warm breeze. The camp bustled with activity, students moving in groups. Some bore Spring marks on their palms, while others carried Autumn leaves etched into their skin.

“On trial and test days, there aren’t any rules about barriers,” Damien explained. “Just don’t wander into other trails alone. Most prefer their first kill to be from another realm—it eases the guilt.”

“Are you going to kill me?” I asked. “I’m too exhausted to run anymore.”

“Yes, Severyn. I risked my life to save you just so I could kill you moments later,” he said, his tone laced with dry sarcasm.

Malachi stepped into the campground. Two daggers sheathed around her slim ribcage, another around her calf. She grinned, waving me over. “I didn’t think you’d be in Summer today. How is your wrist?” she asked.

“Bridger is worse off than me.” I wiggled my fingers. “It feels better,” I said.

“Are you ready for your first trial?” she asked.

I was never good at lying. “No. I haven’t a clue what to expect.”

“Try to stay low profile. There is no sense in drawing attention to yourself when you can’t use your quell. The first trial is usually a lesson or riddle we must solve before the year ends. Don’t worry—you shouldn’t lose any blood today.”

Damien gestured to Malachi. “Hey, Mal. Long time no see.”

Malachi strummed her fingers across her arm. “I didn’t expect to see you here. How was boarding school? I see they let you out early.”

Damien scoffed. “Good behavior. I see you got your enigma, a silver Daigthorn. I didn’t take you as a wyvern girl.”

“She is quite the creature.” Malachi tensed. “Severyn, any luck on finding yours? ”

But Damien didn’t let me talk. “How interesting that Severyn’s mother used to ride that same wyvern, and now you are roommates.”

“I was going to tell you, Sev—” Malachi began, but her words were swallowed by a sudden commotion. A dozen students turned their gazes skyward toward the glaring sun.

“The trial is starting,” she whispered, tension lacing her voice.

Malachi bonded with my mother’s wyvern? The revelation struck me, but the chaotic energy of the trial distracted me before I could demand answers. Above us, the clouds parted, and a dozen folded scrolls rained down like fluttering origami dragons.

“This trial pissed me off last year,” Damien muttered, reaching up to snatch a golden-edged scroll mid-air. “Took me nearly a year to figure it out.”

Students scrambled, their hands darting to catch the delicate parchments before they touched the ground. The red ink shimmered under the harsh sunlight as I lunged forward, grabbing one for myself.

Malachi opened hers first. Her eyes widened, and her fingers trembled as she read the contents. “What the hell,” she hissed, quickly folding the paper and shoving it into her boot.

If hers was that bad, I couldn’t imagine what mine read. I uncurled the note. A failed bargain for your freedom leaves the Winter throne without sunlight. Betray them before they destroy you.

I shuddered.

My freedom? “Are these supposed to be cryptic?” I slid the paper into my pocket, turning toward Malachi. “Are you okay?”

But she left before the words reached her.

Damien stayed still, reading over his scroll word for word a few times.

I’d heard the clang of metal and assumed paranoia’s passion crept into some students’ minds.

Friends would turn on friends. And, it’d become a blood bath if it already hadn’t.

I knew this trial was to stir us, to poison our minds slowly.

Father’s wards were shattering, and the sun had dimmed over the years. Was it my fault?

I reached for Damien’s arm. “Damien,” I stuttered. “We—we should head back.”

But he stayed locked on that scroll. “Go, Severyn. Go back to the castle.” A flash of rage stormed across his features. White knuckles flushed as he crumbed the golden-edged paper. “I need a moment alone.”

I took off for the academy. I was in no shape to stay as students fought. I ran through the trails, stopping at the guttered cliff.

The zip line had snagged in the middle.

The waves rippled, curling with blackened clenches. I pulled on the rope, heaving it back, but it wouldn’t budge. I needed to get my leg up and around.

I jumped, grabbing the wire with one hand as I hoisted my knee over.

The wire dipped low, curving into an outstretched C as I crawled across, my hair sprawling over the rapids below.

The wire bit into my palm, a few strands snagging and pulling me down.

Pain tore through me as I screamed, gripping the wire with my injured hand.

Reaching for the bar, I nearly slipped, swinging to the left and tipping sideways. My elbow caught the edge, and I gasped as my sore wrist took the brunt of my weight.

Moisture speckled my brow as waves crashed into the rocks below, each pull dragging me closer. The trail opened ahead, speckled leaves ricocheting off the buzzing ward.

With one final swing, I released the wire. Air shredded through my hair, and I barely skimmed the ground before rolling onto my spine.

Summer had spit me out .

I stumbled along the slicked stone pathway toward the academy. Cold air rushed over my heated cheeks as I collapsed onto the floor beside the library doors, inspecting the welts on my arms and brushing the dust off my knees.

From that voice in the forests to the scroll—my mind was a tumble of skewed thoughts. Failed bargain. Find him. He’s alive.

He’s alive.

Was Klaus alive? Or was it simply a beast luring me into the woods?

“You were smart to run,” a voice rang behind me. “The test of sanity is a sure way to decipher who has the mental ability to look beyond words.”

Archer. He was leaving the library with a concealed book tucked under his arm. The words on the cover were smudged as if the ink had rubbed off. Numbness crawled along my nerves as

I stared up.

I said, “I would hardly call that a trial. What am I supposed to do with a cryptic note?”

Those blue eyes beamed with slight amusement. He crossed his arms over his chest, stroking silver hooks over my swollen skin. “You figure it out.” He paused. “Were you in the forests? If you wish to end your life, I know of easier ways than getting eaten alive.”

“I wasn’t trying to die—I was…” I couldn’t tell him about the voice. I changed the topic. “Leaving me unconscious in front of a dragon field is another way to die.” My curiosity about him boiled. “Sir,” I corrected with a hiss.

“I reset your wrist. I didn’t say I would tuck you in and read you a bedtime story. If someone wishes to finish you off, that is not on me.”

“Thankfully, your brother found me. He’s very noble.”

Archer chuckled, snugging the book tight against his ribs. “Damien will sleep with any girl who bats her eyes at him. Perhaps you should focus on your studies and not those of the male gaze.” Not entirely a demand, but I heard the unsteadiness in his voice.

“I have no intentions of dating anyone here.” My voice lowered as heads turned.

“Good. Because my brother will break your heart, I’m saying this as your mentor to try and focus on gaining strength and finding your damn quell before you do anything . The first year is about surviving. You eat, sleep, and fight.”

Archer and Charles would be great friends. “I heard you’re wounded. Doesn’t that make you seem weak to the students?” I whispered.

Within a blink, Archer grabbed my steady wrist, pressing it against my chest as he leaned in.

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that. I selflessly saved you by allowing you under my mentorship.

Every sound that escapes your lips belongs to me.

If I want to break you, I will.” I couldn’t meet his eyes or release the air trapped in my lungs.

“I expect you to be there tomorrow at sunrise with Bridger to find your damn quell before you embarrass me any further.”

Heavy tears brimmed my bottom lids, and I conjured up the most genuine grin. “Yes, Serpent . Do you have any more demands of me?”

“Stop crying. The salt will only burn your wounds more.” He let go and walked away.

I drowned out the sharp rhythm of his black boots tapping against the ground. My knees met the cold, unyielding stone, the chill seeping through and tightening around my core. Hugging my body, I tried to brace against the void curling within me.

But it was his eyes that held me captive—a glacial storm, piercing and unrelenting. The terror of a promised tomorrow echoed in their frozen depths, louder than any words he could have spoken.