The Veil refused to settle.
The mist churned violently between the pillars, silver light flashing like distant lightning through the sky. The crack across the moon stretched wider now thin, but undeniable.
Something inside it was pushing outward.
And somewhere in the world beyond the Veil…
He was still there.
I could feel him.
That was the worst part.
The bond pulsed faintly beneath my ribs, like a quiet heartbeat that didn’t belong to me.
I hated it.
Caelum was watching me carefully.
“You’re pale,” he said.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re lying.”
“Correct.”
He crossed his arms.
“That name he used Astraea.”
The word alone made my stomach tighten.
“You said it belonged to you before you became Seraphine.”
“Yes.”
“That name predates the guardians.”
“I know.”
Caelum studied me in sil
