The cold sensation of the metal spread from Julian’s wrist, creeping up into his veins like a stinging stream of ice. The blue light from the Sovereign’s Seal reflected in his pupils, projecting thousands of lines of data moving at lightning speed. Julian jolted, trying to pull his hand away, but the watch felt like a part of his own skin.
"Don't fight it, Julian," Elara’s voice sounded calm yet firm. "Let the system recognize its owner. This is a vow of loyalty from the House of Ravenscroft to its blood."
Julian took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling irregularly. "It feels... like something is penetrating my soul. Is this real?"
"More real than anything you’ve touched in these twenty-one years," Elara stepped closer, her eyes fixed on the light projection in the air. "Look at
