Page 42 of The Umbra King (Vincula Realm #1)

ERDIKOA

Rory tumbled to the ground, the cold from the concrete floor seeping into the hand holding her up. She looked around the tiny room, trying to figure out where she was. The last thing she remembered was the Scales of Justice sentencing her to five-hundred years in Vincula, then everything went black.

Was she in a holding cell in the prison realm? In her other hand, she clutched a book for dear life, and upon further inspection, she was surprised to see it was one of Cora’s favorites from when they were kids.

She didn’t remember bringing this with her to The Capital.

Sitting back on her heels, she surveyed the small room and covered her mouth to muffle a scream. Everything was in color. Plush red chairs lined one wall, and a brown wooden table sat between them. She shook as her brain tried to process what she was seeing.

The door to the room flew open, and Rory scrambled to her feet. A woman with white streaked hair stepped inside and looked at Rory with a tinge of sadness .

“Hello, Aurora Raven. Welcome back to Erdikoa.”

“Welcome back?” Rory squeaked. “It’s been five-hundred years?”

The woman shook her head. “Somehow, your sentence ended early. It’s been three months.”

Rory’s jaw dropped to the ground, elated to be home but terrified to see her friends and family again.

Would they hate her? Either way, it was a miracle.