The fire hadn’t burned out yet.
The ceremonial circle continued to pulse with low, blue light after the Soul-Forging, as if the moon itself were holding its breath.
Rowan was nestled on Quinn's lap, his heartbeat steady against his chest as Quinn sat there. Jace grounded them both by crouching close by and placing his hand on his partner's back. For a long time, nobody said anything.
Until Kairis did.
"That wasn't meant to occur.”
She sounded confused and far away, as if she was still partially hidden by the curtain.
“You mean the shadow?” Jace asked.
Kairis shook her head slowly. “No. That was a reflection. A splinter. It belonged to Rowan—and to Quinn. The forge cleanses those who enter. But something else came through as they came back. Something that didn’t belong to either of
