Whispers of the crimson rose

ssian made their way through the twisted veins of the city toward the Black Archive, the rhythm qu

through distracted tourists, and the watchful eyes of informants who pretended to be blind

al, she muttered. Cassian'

k with something Seraphina didn't dare identify. At the far end, a heavy iron door

to them from the other direction. The Arc

, eyeing him. Solen smirked. I

m. A sharp click echoed, and the door creaked open by

pressed on their ears. The stairwell spiraled downward into blackness, lit only by the soft b

desce

murals scenes of the old world, before the empire. One panel showed a woman

she whispered

he eyes. But in the painting, her mother stood surrounded by shadows nine cl

Court, Sole

here? Cassian asked. Because t

mov

t its center sat the Black Archive-a fortress of blackened stone, roots c

phina said, steppi

an as

r

he door groaned open, revealing shelves upon shelves of relics, scrolls

ir shifted. C

to find the Codex of Echoes.

nd trembled as she passed a mirror that showed her reflection but with black veins crawli

n no on

ed in crimson silk. Something about it tugged at

Vae

betr

turned the Hollow Court against her mother.

s behind h

g out, sharp. "Sera

ed-and s

black. Fac

llow C

ed as one slashed, her instincts faster than thought.

ted, "Get

n!

agic crackling behind her as curses exploded against sto

chive into the tunnel,

rs!" Sole

la

blocking the way out. The ground shifted. A hidden door

lungs. The space below was cold and vast,

t of the Archive

croll still in han

e chamber, feminine and

ire...you are

ound p

bloomed fro

s chest, something

llic sheen, its thorns glowing faintly like hot coals. As her fingers hovered ove

lood. Only then shall

t tr

ice cracking under the weight

on the flower. "It's a trigger. A te

othing about my life has

ead. "This chamber wasn't here before. It's old older than the

or pulsed like a heartbeat. Symbols on the walls illuminated in red, casting eerie patterns across their faces. The rose mel

n faded quickly, replaced by warmth. Familiar. Li

died her. "W

stared at her palm

stone panel behind them split apart, re

y followed it, asce

tal at its center. Upon it lay an ancient book-boun

dex of

t," Solen

sed around the Codex, the chamber quieted a

ed in her mind her mother's face, flames devouring a castle, Cassian

d future," she whisper

to find out who you really are." As they turned to

irst one thundered t

t should have r

Court wasn't

t y

her was