Page 243 of Elemental Becoming

“So the wards keep her out, not in?” I offer, trying to make sense of it all.

The revelation sits uneasily in my chest.

All this darkness. All these secrets.

They’ve existed for centuries, hidden beneath the surface of the realm while most people went about their lives unaware.

I think of my years on the farm. Life had been simple there. Predictable. I tended the fields beside my parents. We planted crops. We prayed for rain. We harvested what the land provided. Our worries were harsh winters, sick livestock, and whether our neighbors needed help bringing in a harvest before a storm.

I never questioned the world beyond our farm or the village. Never imagined ancient enemies were moving unseen through the realm, shaping events from the shadows while people like us carried on with our lives.

Until I became the Spiritborn.

Thane nods.

“The stronger the power attempting to cross, the stronger the wards resist. A few shadow creatures can slip through fractured sections. Fellborn can force their way across since the wards have been weakening.” His jaw tightens. “But the Shadeheart carries too much power. Crossing the wards would drain her.”

“Perhaps fatally,” Orlon says.

“So instead,” Sienna continues, “she built her strength elsewhere.”

“In the Shadow Realm,” I whisper.

“Yes.”

I feel Valen’s eyes on me and turn toward him.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” I try to keep my voice light, but the accusation lands anyway.

Valen sighs heavily, his shoulders slumping. My mentor looks older than he did an hour ago.

“Because, girl, there’s only so much one person can carry at a time.”

I open my mouth, but he lifts a hand.

“You awakened your magics. Lost your anonymity. Learned you’re the Spiritborn. Bonded a dragon. Became the center of a prophecy over half the realm wants to control since its inception.” His expression softens. “I was trying to give you time to find your footing before handing you another piece of the world’s darkness.”

The frustration inside me falters. It doesn’t disappear, but it does soften.

I glance at Rowena. Her eyes meet mine, full of understanding.

A caress slips through the bond, Thane trying to ease the tension coiling inside me. I look at him. His hand remains on my leg.

Still here.

Still beside me.

I take a breath and turn back to the council. “How long?”

Edric gestures toward the map. “For centuries, the Shadowed Hand has been weakening the foundations of the realm. Influencing nobles. Acquiring wealth. Infiltrating governments. Spreading unrest.”

“Preparing the way,” I murmur.

“Exactly.” Thane’s gaze remains fixed on the map. “They don’t need Selene inside the realm.”

His voice is grim.

“They only need the wards to fail.”