The darkness on the side of the second door was really scary.It was not empty.It felt like it was alive.The air was filled with the smell of rain and old books mixed with a bit of lavender.The smell of lavender was not familiar to Aria.It made her feel like she had been there before.The Guardian stepped aside without making a sound.Rowan moved forward. The big wolf blocked his path.The wolf did not show its teeth.It just stood there between Rowan and the doorway.Elara put her hand on Rowan's arm."Only the Keeper can go in, " she said."What if it is a trap?" Rowan asked."The trials are over, " someone said.The Memory Keeper said, "No, they have just changed."Aria looked back at Rowan.Their eyes met."If something feels wrong...""Run, " Rowan said.Aria smiled a little."I will try, " she said.Aria held the brass key tight. Walked through the doorway.The darkness swallowed her up.For a moment there was nothing.Then the light came back.Aria found herself in a librar

The room was really quiet. Nobody moved. It was like nobody was even breathing. Aria looked at the words on the top of the page. If Adrian is present, burn this letter immediately. She slowly looked up. Adrian did not look calm anymore. For a moment he looked unsure.. Then he was okay again."Don't be foolish, " he said."Elias was afraid.""He thought being careful was the same as being wise."Selene went closer to Aria."Hes lying.""Burn it."Adrian looked at her sharply."If you destroy it...""...you will never know what is true."Gideon did not believe him."The only truth you told us was not true."Adrian did not listen to him. He kept looking at Aria."You have been looking for answers your whole life.""They are right in front of you.""Do not throw them away just because someone else is scared."Rowan leaned towards Aria without looking from the Serpent Circle."You do not have to decide by yourself."Aria looked at the letter. It was written by her father. His last message.

A single word echoed through every corner of the library."Granddaughter."Aria's mind went blank. She stared at the river. She could not process what she had just heard."No..."It escaped her lips as more than a breath."That's impossible."The mountain rumbled again. The voice did not return. It had spoken once. It did not need to repeat itself.Everyone around her stood frozen. Rowan looked from Aria to the river. Then he looked at Selene."What did it mean?" he asked.No one answered. Selene had gone deathly pale. Her eyes were fixed on the river. The Memory Keeper slowly lowered her head."So... It remembers."Adrian took a step toward Aria. For the time since she had known him he looked genuinely shaken."He called you granddaughter, " he said."I heard him, " Aria replied sharply. "I do not understand it either."Adrian was not listening. His thoughts were racing. Pieces of a puzzle he had spent decades assembling were suddenly falling into place."So that was Elias's secret..

Aria stared at the whistle.The world around her just disappeared.She did not see the library.She did not hear the river.All she saw was the piece of carved wood resting in Caelan's weathered hands.The pine scent reached her before she even touched it.It smelled fresh and familiar.Liam had always said that he liked to finish every whistle with resin because it makes them sound happier.A memory came to her mind.She was fourteen years old.Liam was nine years old.He had given her his carved whistle.It was not perfect. The edges were uneven and crooked.He had said it did not sound very good.She had told him it sounded perfect even though it barely made a sound.From that day on he never stopped carving.Arias' eyes filled with tears.She reached out with trembling fingers to touch the whistle.The moment she touched it a sharp warmth spread through her hand.It was not painful. It was familiar like someone squeezing her fingers.She closed her eyes."Liam..." she said.A soft

The big gate stood open in front of Aria.Its huge stone doors went so high up that they disappeared into the dark.Old symbols shone on their surface. Then faded one by one.Now two words were carved into the black stone:ENTER ALONE.Behind her Rowan took a step forward without thinking.The moment his foot crossed the shining line on the floor the gate made a noise.Silver light flashed.A gentle force. Not violent. Strong. Pushed him back.He. Caught himself before he fell.Caelan put his staff down."The gate has spoken " he said."It won't let anyone in, " he added.Rowan looked at Aria.Every part of him wanted to ignore the warning and fight it.Aria just smiled."I'll be back, " she said.He wanted to promise that he would wait for her.Instead he said the words that mattered:"I'll be here."She nodded.Then she turned toward the gate.The whistle was over her heart.The compass Rowan gave her was safely in her pocket.The brass key glowed softly in her hand.She stepped acr