[Ava's POV]
Ava's sleep was messed up, full of weird and scary dreams. But this time, it wasn't just random feelings or scary thoughts about the throne. It was a clear story, and her mom was right in the middle of it. Someone she missed and feared.
She was standing in a big, empty place under a weird sky that was like dark cloth with three bright red moons hanging there. The moons made the cracked ground look rusty. The air felt still and powerful, like a low hum vibrating in her teeth.
Her mom, Elara Vance, didn't look like the tired scientist from the files. She looked important and sad, wearing plain clothes that looked gray in the moonlight. Her face showed deep sorrow, like she'd been carrying burdens forever. In front of her, kneeling on the ground, were three shadows.
They weren
