Chapter 4

The Sanctum's black transport arrived outside my house shortly before noon.

Its windows were darkened with protective enchantments, allowing vampires to travel safely even under the midday sun.

My adoptive parents were still overseas on business, so they called to say goodbye.

Mom's eyes were red when her face appeared on my screen.

"Are you absolutely sure we don't need to come home?"

"The Sanctum doesn't allow family members to accompany new students," I reminded her.

Dad leaned into the frame. "Promise you'll take care of yourself, sweetheart. And if anyone gives you trouble, tell your instructors. Don't try to handle everything alone."

I smiled, though my throat felt tight.

At least someone was going to miss me.

As for Asher and the others, they'd spent the previous night decorating Sera's house for their Blackwood acceptance celebration.

Our old group chat had been busy until dawn.

Rowan sent pictures of the decorations, asking me to help arrange them.

Lucien replied, She's still sulking. Leave her alone.

Cassian posted a photo of a cake with five little figures on top.

She'll get over it once she's settled at the Sanctum. We can send her pictures of the party.

I hadn't responded.

The Sanctum escort loaded my suitcase into the trunk while I finished saying goodbye to my parents.

"Once we leave Ravenwood, the admission process begins," the escort explained. "Your personal devices will be surrendered before we cross the Sanctum's boundary. Is there anyone else you need to contact?"

"No."

I climbed into the car.

Just then, a message from Sera appeared.

Lydia! The boys are going to perform a bonding ritual with me tonight!

I know you already have your own bond with them, but I was hoping we could all be connected too. Would you come? I'd really love to share that kind of bond with you.

Sera sent another message.

Asher said you'd probably be upset, but I told him you'd understand. We're family, after all!

Rowan replied almost immediately.

If she does, she can crawl back from the mountains and change it herself.

Cassian sent a string of laughing emojis.

Lucien reacted with a thumbs-up.

Finally, Asher replied.

Works for me.

I stared at those three words.

Nine years ago, when we'd cast the Everlasting Bond Spell, he'd said there would never be room for anyone else.

Now Sera had taken my place so easily that none of them even questioned it.

I left the group chat and deleted their numbers.

When I reached Asher's contact, I hesitated.

Another message arrived.

Stop being difficult, Lydia.

Come to Sera's party tonight. And bring the video drive.

Even now, he assumed I'd come running whenever he asked.

I deleted his contact without replying.

The escort handed me a sealed pouch.

"Your phone, please. Once we enter Sanctum territory, outside communication will be suspended for the duration of your training."

I switched it off and placed it inside.

The car pulled away from the house.

Through the tinted window, I watched the familiar streets of Ravenwood slip past. We passed the old chapel where we'd learned our first spells and the oak tree where five frightened children had promised never to leave one another.

I glanced at my wrist.

Four faint crimson chains still extended from beneath my skin, disappearing into the distance.

Asher had once told me that no matter where I went, he'd always be able to find me through our bond.

I wondered whether he'd even noticed I was leaving.

By the time we reached the northern mountains, the sky had darkened.

The Sanctum stood beyond a dense forest, its ancient stone towers rising above the trees. Pale lights burned behind narrow windows, and a protective barrier shimmered across the road.

The car stopped before a pair of iron gates.

An elderly woman in dark robes waited beside a circular pool carved into the stone.

"Welcome to the Nocturne Sanctum, Lydia Ellis."

She gestured toward the water.

"Every initiate must undergo cleansing before entering. All spells binding you to the outside world will be removed."

I looked down at my wrist.

For nine years, I'd never spent a single moment without those four chains.

"Will it hurt?" I asked.

"Only briefly."

I stepped into the pool.

The water was freezing. Ancient symbols lit up beneath my feet as the woman began chanting.

Four crimson chains emerged around my wrist, pulling tight as the magic took hold.

For nine years, they'd connected me to the four boys who'd promised never to leave me.

Now I was finally ready to let them go.

One by one, the chains began to crack.

Then the water flashed crimson.

All four chains shattered.

I lifted my wrist. There was nothing left.

At that exact moment, miles away in Ravenwood, Asher doubled over as a searing pain ripped through his chest.

The invisible crimson chain around his wrist suddenly appeared.

Then it snapped.