BLOODBOUND HEARTS

"It burns."

Lucian caught her hand.

The moment his fingers closed around her wrist, the lights flickered.

"Alara."

"I can't stop it."

"Don't fight it."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

He pulled her closer, placing himself between her and the woman watching them.

"The Moonstone is waking," the woman whispered.

Lucian's expression darkened. "You said it was hidden."

"It was."

"Then why is it reacting now?"

Her gaze settled on Alara.

"Because she is here."

The courtyard split beneath Alara's feet.

And something beneath the palace began to wake.