The next morning, Elira paced her apartment. Had she really seen him? Had it all been a dream?
But the broken streetlamp outside told her otherwise. The clash had been real.
A knock at her door startled her. When she opened it, Kaelen stood there—taller than she imagined, his eyes a deep, knowing gold.
"I am Kaelen Deyarion," he said softly. "I have waited a thousand years to keep my vow to you."
Elira's heart raced. "I… I don't understand."
"You bear the Mark. I am bound to you as Guardian. You are not safe."
As if on cue, the Mark on her wrist flared brightly. Kaelen's gaze hardened.
"They know you have awakened. They will come for you now."
And so it began.