His investigation partner. The girl who'd stayed up all night watching over him. proud swordswoman who blushed when he thanked her.
Was connected to a chaos beast that had nearly destroyed civilization.
"The seal on an Ashenblade," Myra said, swirling her wine glass lazily, "isn't there to protect them. Think of it more like... a leash. One percent of Kokonei's residual power, branded into their bloodline. Passed down through generations whether they want it or not."
"One percent," Lucian repeated. "That's... that's what caused the power surge I saw. Her eyes changed. Dark and light at the same time."
"Dual-natured," Myra confirmed. "Opposing forces trying to exist in the same space. Dark and light. Creation and destruction. Order and chaos." She paused. "When an Ashenblade awakens, those forces try to merge. Most vessels can't handle it."
"Most?"
Myra's expression darkened. "No Ashenblade in recorded history has lived past twenty-two years old."
