He smiled.
I couldn’t make sense of it.
“I thought everyone feared you.”
“They do. In the cities. In the courts. Where people pretend death is far away. But not here. Not where it touches the world.”
I followed Devin through the winding paths of the village, through ancient archways and stone-walled gardens until we reached the gates of the Tower itself.
I stopped walking.
The gate was made of dark steel, etched with runes I didn’t recognize, and flanked by twin statues of winged figures holding swords—Revenants, I realized. The guardians of the Veil. Death Mages who had tied their lives and their blood to the runes that sealed the Rift. Mages like Devin. My chest tightened.
“Cleo,” Devin said softly, offering his hand.
I took it.
The tall gates opened without a sound and The Spire welcomed me in.
The air inside was cooler, scented with magic and old stone, like the dust of centuries lingering in the bones of the building. The walls pulsed faintly with power, whispering in tongues I couldn’t understand.
We passed through wide halls filled with light from enchanted glass. Through libraries carved into the rock. Through quiet spaces where young mages trained in silence and study.
I felt like I was walking through a dream. A memory.
Or a place I’d been long ago and forgotten.
Then we turned a final corner—and a tall Death Mage stood in greeting.
“Kassio.” Devin smiled at the prince of The Spire, a royal so well known—so feared—even I knew his name.
The prince of the Dark Spire stood at the top of the stairs, arms crossed, grinning like the gods had dropped a joke in his lap and dared him to keep a straight face. “Well, well,” he drawled, descending the stairs. “I thought you were dead, brother.”
Devin stiffened. “I should’ve been.”
Kassio stopped in front of him. “You look like hell.”
“You don’t.”
“I’m prettier,” Kassio said, smirking.
“I thought you had business in the capital. How did you beat us here?” Devin asked.
“I got bored,” Kassio replied with a shrug. “And I’m a better mage. I flew.”
I laughed, surprising both of them.
Kassio turned to me and swept a graceful bow. “And you must be the miracle.”
I flushed.
He took my hand and kissed it with ridiculous elegance. “I’m Kassio Morven. And I amdelightedto meet you.”
I glanced at Devin, whose brow had lowered into a warning line.
“She’s taken,” he said.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Kassio replied with an innocent smile.
