THE AWAKENING OF THE BLOODBOUND
The storm outside the fortress had grown violent over the last hour, as if the sky itself sensed what was coming. Wind slammed into the ancestral stones, rattling windows, making torches flicker wildly along the halls. But inside the war room, time felt frozen.
Everyone stared at Nara.
Everyone felt it — something ancient breathing beneath her skin, like a second heartbeat vibrating in the air.
Nara stood in the center of the room, pale, shaking, Kael’s arm around her waist to steady her. Her pulse thudded against his hand, too fast, too strong, like it was rushing to catch up with centuries.
The prophecy scroll lay open on the table, glowing faintly.
Eldric, trembling, reread the final line out loud:
“And when the Bloodbound heir awakens, the gate be
