The guardian's growl echoed off the cavern walls, curling around Raine like smoke. The pool glowed brighter, casting silver light across her skin. Xavier's hand brushed against hers, a silent promise that he wouldn't let her face this alone.
But Raine could feel it in her bones—this was something she had to do.
"What does it mean to face the moon? Bleed? Bind?" she asked, staring into the eyes of the shadow beast.
Before Xavier could answer, the guardian lunged—not to strike, but to slam its claw into the center of the pool.
The water exploded into mist, rising in a swirl that formed three glowing orbs above them. One pulsed like a heartbeat. One shimmered like starlight. The third was darker—its core red as blood.
"Choose," the guardian growled.
Raine looked to Xavier, but he stepped back. "I can't interfere. This is your bloodline's test."
"But you've seen this before," she pressed. "You know what these are."
He hesitated. "Yes. But last time, the wrong choice killed the one who came before you."
Her breath caught.
And something inside her—something ancient—whispered: Don't choose with fear.
Raine reached out and touched the red orb.
It shattered into sparks that sank into her skin.
The cavern trembled.
A mark blazed across her palm, shaped like a crescent moon surrounded by jagged fangs.
She gasped as heat surged through her veins.
"What is this?" she asked, voice shaking.
The guardian stepped aside, revealing a hidden door behind the mural.
But before they could approach it, the pool's glow darkened—and from the water emerged not a beast, but a figure cloaked in silver and black. A man.
His face… was nearly identical to Xavier's.
Raine froze. "What—?"
Xavier's eyes widened. "No. It can't be."
The figure stepped forward, eyes cold and glowing. "Hello, brother."
Raine's heart plummeted.
"Brother?"
Xavier drew his blade from his back slowly. "Ezekiel."
"I thought you died," Xavier said.
"I did," Ezekiel said, his smile bitter. "But you left me there, didn't you? Just like you're planning to leave her."
Raine's eyes darted between them. "What is he talking about?"
"You haven't told her?" Ezekiel laughed. "Oh, Raine. The bond you feel? The attraction? It's not fate. It's guilt. Xavier's guilt."
"Stop," Xavier growled.
But Ezekiel kept going. "He knew you were marked before you were born. He's known since the Council branded your bloodline a threat. He was sent to kill you, not protect you."
Raine's knees weakened.
"Is that true?" she whispered.
Xavier didn't answer right away.
Then, quietly: "Yes. But I didn't."
Silence fell like a blade.
Raine stared at him, betrayal wrapping around her ribs like chains.
"You were going to kill me?"
"I was," he admitted, stepping toward her. "Until I saw you. Until I felt you. I defied the Council the moment I knew who you were."
Ezekiel sneered. "He defied them? Or he marked you, Raine? Look at your palm. You bear the Trial Mark—only a bonded can receive it. You're bound to him now. Body and soul."
Her stomach turned.
She looked down at her hand. The mark pulsed—just like the orb had.
"I didn't ask for this," she whispered.
"No one ever does," Ezekiel said. "But you can break the bond. Right now. Join me. I'll take you to the truth—all of it. Not the half-truths Xavier keeps feeding you."
Raine looked at Xavier. Then at Ezekiel.
Two brothers. One sworn to protect her. The other to expose the lies.
But which one was the real enemy?
The guardian stood silent.
Waiting.
Watching.
The trial… was far from over