As dawn broke, Elira stood in her small kitchen, staring at the Mark on her wrist. No matter how much she washed or rubbed, it remained—glowing faintly beneath her skin.
She barely slept. The words of Maevra echoed in her mind.
"Your destiny is linked to a warrior who once swore an eternal oath."
What did that even mean?
Determined to understand, she opened the ancient tome Maevra had given her. Strange symbols filled its pages, yet some words seemed to shimmer and rearrange themselves before her eyes—words she could somehow read.
"When the Mark awakens, so shall the Guardian. Across the Veil of Time, his oath remains unbroken."
Her pulse quickened.
Meanwhile, miles away, Kaelen moved through the shadows of the new world. His warrior instincts adapted quickly, but the strange machines and noisy streets disoriented him.
Yet through it all, the pull remained—leading him toward her.
Toward the one he had sworn to protect.
Toward Elira.