The war did not begin with a battle.
It began with silence.
Seraphine felt it first.
A subtle shift in the air of the Veil. Like the universe itself had taken a slow, uneasy breath. The kind that came before storms that swallowed entire worlds.
She stood on the balcony of the ruined temple overlooking the gathering armies below.
Wolves.
Vampires.
Fae.
Creatures who had once tried to wipe each other out now stood shoulder to shoulder.
Because the Ancients were coming.
And everyone knew it.
Behind her, footsteps approached.
Heavy.
Unhurried.
Dangerous.
Only one being in existence walked like that.
She didn’t turn.
“You’re staring at them like a queen inspecting soldiers,” he said.
His voice was calm, deep, threaded with ancient power.
Seraphine crossed her arms.
“I’m star
