Mia’s POV
Every eye was on me.
Blackwood.
Stormcrest.
Riverthorn.
Even the wolves.
The clearing had fallen into an eerie silence, broken only by the distant howl of the wind sweeping through the bottomless chasm beneath the ancient bridge.
No one moved.
No one even breathed.
My fingers tightened around the silver pendant hanging from my neck. Its warmth had become almost unbearable, pulsing against my skin like a second heartbeat.
I wanted to pull it off.
Throw it away.
But somehow…
I couldn’t.
The voice echoed again, deeper this time.
“The heir stands before the Gate.”
The words rolled across the bridge, vibrating through the stone beneath our feet.
Brin looked from me to the glowing silver path.
“…Please tell me you know what’s happening.”
I slowly shook my head.
“I d
