Eira’s POV
"The acknowledged has returned."
The words vibrate in my teeth, settling into the marrow of my bones.
"Returned."
I stare at the massive stone sentinel kneeling before me.
Returned from where?
I’ve never been to the Forgotten District. I didn’t even know it existed until day's ago.
But as the thought forms, a strange, hollow ache blooms in the center of my chest. A phantom limb sensation. Like I’m forgetting a word that’s been on the tip of my tongue my entire life.
Art steps in front of me. Not aggressively, but his broad shoulders block my view of the guardian.
"Returned from where?" he asks. His voice sounding practically flat.
The guardian doesn’t answer. Slowly, with the grinding sound of tectonic plates shifting, it
