Chapter 4

I looked at Damien, at Selena preening by his side.

Alistair awaited my answer.

"I accept," I said, my voice surprisingly steady.

If this was the fate they designed, I would walk into it with my eyes open.

I turned to Damien and Selena, a small, sad smile on my lips.

"Thank you, Damien," I said, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "For thinking of me. And for choosing Selena. She is so radiant."

Selena beamed.

"And Rhys Ashworth," I continued, "he is quite handsome, even if he is unwell. I am honored."

Damien' s eyes narrowed. This wasn't the reaction he expected.

I then looked directly at Selena. "You look particularly vibrant tonight, cousin. Those special tonics your mother procures must be very effective."

Selena' s smile faltered for a split second.

I remembered.

Selena's "Tier 6 Aura," her "Lumina Scion" status – it was a lie.

Achieved with a dangerous, illicit "Aura-Glow" serum.

It granted a false, bright Aura but caused infertility or severely flawed offspring.

Her original Aura was as weak as mine was perceived to be.

Damien's plan was to have me waste away with Rhys.

My plan was to survive. And to use the knowledge they thought I'd lost.

My Vance ancestors weren't just Scions; they were healers.

They possessed forgotten arts, "Aura Weaving," lost to time and the community's obsession with raw power tiers.

Perhaps Rhys Ashworth wasn't my doom.

Perhaps he was my new path.