The temple was quiet now, except for the soft hum of the Codex floating above the pedestal. My chest still burned faintly where the mark glowed. I could feel the energy from the book pulsing, like it had a heartbeat of its own.
Asher stayed close, his hand brushing mine as he leaned over the Codex. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
I swallowed hard. “I have to be. If I don’t understand it… we’re all in danger. That shadow… it’ll come back. And next time… it might not leave.”
Gage groaned, leaning against a broken column. “I still don’t get why the heir has to touch glowing, ancient books. Why can’t someone else do it?”
“Because no one else can read it.” Arlo said quietly. “The Codex recognizes the bloodline. It recognizes the heir. Only Trinity can read it.”
I took a shaky breath and reach
