Darkness swirled around Elara like hungry shadows. The poison burned through her veins, turning her blood to fire. She could hear Kael and Ronan arguing, their voices fading as she sank deeper into the void.
Then a new sound cut through—a high, eerie note from Ronan's bone whistle. It vibrated in her bones, calling to something ancient inside her.
"Will it work?" Kael's voice seemed far away.
"It has to," Ronan answered. "She's dying."
Elara tried to speak, but her lips wouldn't move. The poison had reached her heart, each beat slower than the last.
Suddenly, the darkness shifted. Elara found herself standing in a beautiful garden she'd never seen before. Moonflowers bloomed all around, their silver petals glowing softly.
"Hello, little moon child."
Elara turned. A woman stood among the flowers—tall and graceful with kind eyes that looked exactly like Kael's. She wore a simple white dress and a silver crown of twisted branches.
