Before Josselyn Thorn—Cyprus Reyner, Victoria d’Audrieu and Isabelle Rhodes had their own stories to tell. Requiem, the bundle of Whispers From The Past, includes Roar, Remember, React, and—as a special bonus—Raucous. Enjoy these tales as a sequel to The Whispers of Rings and let yourself share in their pain, loss, joy, and determination. ~~~~~ Excerpt ~~~~~ From Roar: It was an inconsequential evening that changed the entire course of my life. I couldn’t say the day or the time, but I remember it was snowing. I was restless, inconsolable, and suffered from the curiosities of childhood. I’m sure my mother knew of my late night escapes, but never said a word. The moon washed over the snow in a gleam that would draw envy from the sun as I padded my way over the white landscape. It was late; far later than any eight-year-old should have wandered from their room, but I couldn’t sleep and nothing in my home ever helped with my fits of insomnia. I wandered, the powdered streets of Lorelyn abandoned at such an hour. The chill air sometimes calmed the thoughts that rushed through my head—thoughts that should have never weighed me down to begin with. That’s when I saw you. From Remember: It was the first time I’d ever smelled salt in the air. Seen an expanse of water that continued infinitely. A steady breeze played at my hair and the warm evening air caressed my skin. The ocean mirrored the full moon, illuminating the picturesque scene before me. If it weren’t for the circumstances surrounding our visit, the City of Ends was easily one of the most stunning landscapes I’d ever seen. “Victoria, love…I…don’t how to prepare you for this.” Jeremi’s fingers weaved into mine. “I’m the one who asked to come here. I want to understand every part of your life. This weight…you should not have to bear it alone.” I met his gaze and smiled—the waves danced in his silver eyes. “I don’t know what I’ve ever done to deserve you,” he sighed and kissed my hair. I leaned into him. “Your actions answer that every day, my sweet. Nothing I see here will change how I see you.” I inhaled the intoxicating air one last time before hooking my arm through his. Delaying the inevitable would lead us nowhere. “Shall we go?” I asked. “Alright,” he replied reluctantly. From React: I held a cool cloth to my blackened eye. Bruises and scrapes decorated my pale arms and legs. Thankfully I wasn’t bleeding too much—and most of it wasn’t mine. The other kid would miss a few days of tutelage. “Where is she?” I heard my father’s booming voice from down the hall. I hadn’t expected him to be happy, but his tone was unnerving. I sucked on a split knuckle in an attempt to ease the sting. When he rounded the corner he assessed the situation and shook his head. “Come on, Isabelle,” he commanded, and I stood without hesitation. “You have to admit, sir, she has your fire,” the man watching over me commented. “Aye, too much for a girl. Let’s go,” with that he turned heel and I trailed behind him. I concentrated on the ground as he led me outside of my language tutor’s estate. His strides were long and sure and I had to skip steps to keep up with him. “Why this time?” he asked with the authority I associated with his work. “…Stephan said I was just a stupid girl. When I told him to shut up he called me a bitch…” I explained under my breath. “Surely, beating him to submission proved him wrong.” Father glowered down at me from the corner of his eye. “Lord Radcliff says that’s the worst thing you can call a lady!” I retorted. “I would agree with Lord Radcliff, however my daughter is no lady.”

The murder of Jeremi and Victoria Terryn, a prominent and noble couple, shocks the peaceful city of Anastas. In the midst of it all is Josselyn Thorn; a young woman who devoted her life and loyalty to them both. Josselyn finds herself left to die in the dungeons—until Adrien Markov frees her. Using her newfound independence, she travels to the ends of the Kingdom of Rhoryn, seeking the truth. ~~~~~ Excerpt ~~~~~ The Temple of Elwyn housed the coldest, dankest cells I ever had the misfortune of spending time in. A few other chambers at least afforded the luxury of a torch and a bedroll, but the guards had spared me no such kindness. This wasn't the first time I'd found myself shackled to a wall, but it had never been under the pretense of murder. Generally the public prison was found suitable enough for felons of the great city of Anastas. But according to the Elwyn clerics, only the best guarded dungeon would do for a Whisper like me. I couldn't remember how many days had passed since they'd dragged me from my home and locked me in. After three I'd lost the ability to keep track of time; the guards kept unpredictable shifts, and windows were a comfort long forgotten. Even sleep refused to keep me company. The brutal nightmares tortured me to consciousness. My body succumbed to exhaustion only once- I awoke to a guard shaking me while demanding I stop screaming. Food was another fond memory; I had nothing to eat from the first day of my imprisonment. Not only did they not bother offering sustenance, I heard it was common for the Temple to poison its occupants before any official judgment was made. The less mouths for them to feed the better. “Still alive, wisp?” The most recent guard on duty raked his pike against the bars. I didn't want to respond. My mouth was parched and my patience had long since evaporated. The King's Guard had devised the term after Whispers had become a despised race. A 'wisp;' only a shred, barely human. It was disgusting what they thought of me. All for things beyond my control. “Answer me!” He didn't wait long before slamming his weapon once more against the door, startling the few other inmates. “Unfortunately.” The truth was bitter to taste. There was nothing left for me. The damp floor had soaked through my thin clothing, the cold air took every last drop of energy I hoped to preserve, and the metal that surrounded my wrists and ankles chafed my skin until it bled. I wanted to die. “My lord, wait!” a voice called out. Heavy footsteps echoed from further down the hall, breaking the awkward silence between the guard and I. Visitors weren't common in the Temple dungeon. I strained to look into the darkness without much luck. “You will give her to me and ask me no further questions.” “But her trial! She must be judged!” “I will pay any amount that you wish. Give it to the king, use it for this god-forsaken Temple, I don't care. But you will hand her over to me immediately.” The footsteps stopped abruptly and a tall, strong silhouette of a man appeared before my cell. The few available torches didn't emit enough light for me to see his face. A second pair of feet scuttled quickly to rest beside him. The distant fire glinted off of the gold medallion that signified the cleric's power within the Temple. “Josselyn Thorn?” His voice was soft; the most gracious gesture anyone had shown me since I'd arrived. “Yes, my lord.” I decided addressing him as the cleric had was the safest course of action. “My lady, I need you to tell me if you were Jeremi and Victoria Terryn's Ring.” I couldn't hold back the tears that overwhelmed my vision. Hearing their names again tore at my heart as painfully as when I'd found them dead.