“I am Callix,” she hissed. “Bloodbinder of the Crimson Hollow. You smell of prophecy, girl. But I smell fear too.”
Aria stepped forward. “You want me? Come find out why they call me the Luna Requiem.”
The rogue launched first—lightning-fast. Aria’s instinct screamed, but her training took over. She ducked, spun, and landed a hard kick into Callix’s ribs. The woman staggered, laughing.
“You’ve got spirit. Let’s tear it out.”
Aiden leapt forward to help, but Elias held him back. “No. This is her test.”
Aria’s movements became a blur—fluid, precise, deadly. But Callix was faster, more savage. Claws raked across Aria’s arm, drawing blood. She gasped, stumbling to one knee.
Then—it happened.
The blood on her skin shimmered. Not red—but silver. The ground trembled faintly, and from the ba
