Page 74 of Elemental Becoming

My grip tightens around the cooling ceramic mug until the rim presses crescents into my palm. Finally, I push to my feet.

I glance at Valen. He is buried in his research, eyes scanning the pages with the kind of quiet intensity that means he’s working through something he won’t share until he’s certain.

The knot in my stomach tightens to the point I can’t hold the words in any longer.

“Valen, could the Unmaking waking up be the reason the curse is activating? And could it be calling Thane to the Shadow Realm?”

Although nothing changes in the room, goosebumps appear on my arms as if the temperature just dropped several degrees.

He looks up, lips pressed into a tight line.

“That is a possibility.”

He pauses, looking up at the ceiling, his expression pensive.

“If that’s the case . . . then it may not be recent. It may have started years ago. With Thane’s mother.”

He taps a finger across his lips, brows furrowing.

“That could explain why the curse hasn’t struck in earlier generations of Thane’s line.”

The words land hard.

My mentor looks back at me, and I know he sees it—the fear I can’t hide.

“My dear girl,” he says gently, “we will figure this out.”

His certainty doesn’t waver.

“For now, focus on your training. We have time.”

I let out a breath, then finally push to my feet. “Thank you, Valen.”

He nods, already turning back to his book and disappearing into the work before him.

I need a break. A breath. Something to pull me out of my own head before the questions drag me under.

So I go to find Lyra.

We’ve been in Lyra’s room for hours. Just being around her makes everything feel a bit more manageable.

I watch her face, the way she moves, looking for any sign that she died just days ago. The color has returned to her cheeks, but faint bruising still shadows her eyes.

“I can feel you staring,” Lyra complains, not looking up from the puzzle spread across the table as she turns two pieces in her hands.

Puzzles have always been our thing. Rainy days, quiet afternoons—hours spent fitting small pieces together untilsomething whole took shape. It isn’t raining today, but I needed this. Something familiar. Something that feels like home.

She glances up, her green eyes still not quite as bright as they should be. “You and Garrick are driving me insane. I’m fine. Just tired.”

She drops the pieces and throws her arms into the air like she’s addressing the gods.

“I have risen from the dead by the all-powerful Spiritborn!” she declares. “I am unstoppable!”

“Lyra,” I hiss, reaching out to shush her. “Don’t tempt fate.”

“Fate be damned. You’re the Spiritborn. The gods chose you. So clearly you were meant to bring me back—and that means they chose me too.” She winks.

I roll my eyes.