Lianna walked over to the archive table and picked up an old audio player, worn but well-maintained. She pressed play.
Static filled the silent office for a moment, then a woman's voice emerged—my mother's voice, which I'd only ever heard in faint childhood memories. Her voice was clear, but filled with fear.
"This is for Cassian," the voice said softly. "If you're hearing this, it means war has broken out, and you've opened the Northvale gates. I never knew exactly what your father hid from the North Clan, but I know he hid something far larger than technology alone. Something related to the person you love now."
Lianna stared at me, her eyes wide. "She said... related to *me*?"
"Keep going, Mom," I whispered.
My mother's voice grew more breathless on the recording. "The man you trus
