Chapter 18. The Ash Reckoning

The amphitheater lay silent, but the note lingered.

Low, sonorous, constant—it vibrated through the bones of the world. The Hollowed remained kneeling, eyes lifted toward the center where Aria stood, the blank stone in her hand still humming with her memories.

The Queen of Ash did not return to the rim. She remained standing at Aria’s side, her cloak trailing like unraveling shadow.

“You see them differently now,” she said.

“They were never monsters,” Aria replied. “Just echoes with nowhere to go.”

The Queen nodded. “And now they’ve heard your song. But there are still others who refuse the music. Those who will silence it before it spreads.”

Aria turned slowly toward her companions. “The Keep.”

Ren stiffened. “You think they’ve moved?”

“I know they’ve acted. They never wanted peace. Only control.”

Solin glanced at the Hollowed. “Do they follow us now?”

“They wait,” the Queen said. “They will not invade. But they will prote