Pain tore through Aeris's body as she sprinted through the back alleys of the capital, her vision swimming. What did I just do?
Behind her, the bells of the temple tolled in alarm. The first Oathshattering in history.
She didn't have time to dwell on it.
The empire would not allow her to live.
Boots thundered on the cobbled streets. Oathforged Sentinels, warriors bound to serve the empire, chased her down like a wolf pack.
She turned a corner—only to find herself face-to-face with a blade.
A hooded figure blocked her path, silver eyes gleaming beneath his dark mask.
"You're faster than I expected," he mused. "But not fast enough."
Aeris spun away just as his dagger whistled through the air, but he was quicker. He caught her wrist, twisting it back with painful precision.
"Let me go," she hissed, kneeing him in the ribs.
He barely flinched. Instead, he sighed and released her. "You don't know what you are yet, do you?"
Aeris blinked. She expected an assassin or a bounty hunter. Not… this.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The man pushed back his hood, revealing sharp features and a weary smirk. "Kieran Solis. Scholar. Wanted criminal."
She stared. "A scholar?"
"Yes, I'm very dangerous," he said dryly. "Now come with me unless you want to be recaptured."
Aeris hesitated, but the shouts of the Sentinels grew louder.
Kieran held out a hand. "I know what you are, Aeris. I know what you just did. And if you don't want to die, you'll want answers."
She didn't trust him.
But she had no other choice.
With a reluctant breath, she took his hand—just as the Sentinels turned the corner.
And the world around them vanished in a surge of silver light.