Arias' hands shook as she held the list.It was not because of the wind.Her fingers were shaking because she was nervous.She read the names on the list again.Aria Voss was on the list.Rowan Hale was on the list.Nyra was on the list.Elias Voss was on the list.Lucien was on the list.Cassian was on the list.Mira was on the list.Every person standing beside her was on the list.Every person was on the list except the archer.The silence was almost too much to bear.Nyra slowly looked from the paper to the figure."I am just going to ask the question, " she said.She pointed at the archer."Why are you not on the list?"The hooded archer did not answer.He just watched Aria.His face was hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.Rowan stepped forward."I think it is time we learned your name, " he said.Again there was silence.Mira sighed softly."He will not tell you, " she said."Why not?" Aria asked."Because he no longer uses it, " Mira replied.Nyra blinked."That is somehow m

Aria could not look away from the words.I found him alive.DarenShe reached out to touch the scratches on the stone.The edges were still sharp and rough."They're recent, " Rowan said."They couldn't be more than a few weeks old."This was the same time Daren had disappeared.The group realized that Daren must have made it to this place."He made it here, " Nyra whispered."He actually reached Ash Hollow."Mira nodded in agreement."He must have."Because no one else knew about this passage.Aria frowned."If Daren found Liam...""Why didn't he bring him back?"No one had an answer.They were either unsure or afraid of what the answer might be.Elias stepped closer to the wall where Daren's message was written.His fingers stopped over Daren's signature."He left this for us."Gideon corrected him quietly."He left it for Aria."Aria looked back at them."Why me?""Because he knew you'd come looking for him, " Gideon said.These words reminded her of somethingThe hidden map that D

The room fell silent with everyone staring in shock.Only the River of Memory kept flowing, its silver waters glowing brighter every second.No one said a word.No one dared to.Arias' eyes stayed fixed on the river, her heart pounding loudly in her ears.She knew that voice.Not because she hoped it was Liam's.Because it was.The slight crack at the end of words.The way he said her name.The same voice that once begged her to stay awake and tell him another bedtime story."Aria..."The river whispered again.This time it sounded sad.Not fearful.Sad.Tears blurred her vision."Liam..."Her whisper was barely audible.Nyra gently touched her shoulder."You heard it too."It wasn't a question.Aria nodded."I know his voice."Rowan stayed alert. His grip on his sword eased slightly."Can everyone hear him?"Elara slowly shook her head."Not everyone.""What do you mean?""The River speaks differently to each person.""It reveals what they're meant to hear."Lucien frowned."I didn't

The world around Aria just disappeared.The bright light went away and it was now a nice warm afternoon with sunlight.A cool breeze touched her face.She could smell the smell of wildflowers and fresh bread and the earth after it rained.Aria slowly lowered her hand from her eyes.She was standing in front of her childhood home.It looked exactly like she remembered it.The old oak tree was still leaning a bit towards the fence.The wooden swing her father had made was moving gently in the breeze.There were flowers all around the stone path that led to the front door.Everything was perfect.Too perfect.Her father had told her something that she remembered now.Do not believe the memory.Aria just stood there.She really wanted to run to the house.She made herself breathe and look around.She heard a laugh coming from the kitchen window.It was Liam's laugh.He sounded young and happy.Her heart felt tight.The front door. A little boy ran out.He was holding a whistle and he coul

Aria stood frozen.The baby's small fingers were curled around the edge of the blanket.His bright gray eyes blinked slowly as he stared at the woman leaning over the cradle.It was Liam.There was no doubt.As a newborn she recognized the small birthmark just below his left ear.She had seen it many times as they grew up.The word escaped her lips."No...""This can't be right."The Memory Keeper appeared beside her. Her golden eyes shone in the candlelight that filled the room."It happened, " she said.Aria shook her head."You're showing me a lie.""The first memory lied. This one does not " the Memory Keeper replied.Aria looked back at the woman.It was the woman from the hidden laboratory.The woman who had spoken of adaptation of healing.The woman who had the brass key."Why is she here?" Aria asked.The Memory Keeper was silent.The answer came from the memory itself.A door opened.A young woman entered with a steaming bowl of water.Aria's breath caught.Her mother.She lo