When the word "bond" echoed inside the house, the stones of the border house answered as if they had heard that sound thousands of times before. Blue light descended from the walls to the floor, split into three lines across the ground, and the orange light beneath Elara's feet slowly became more vivid. The dark red line in front of Kael began to beat like a pulse. Rowan's blue line remained steady, but its steadiness was not peaceful. It was more like a breath held before a decision was made.
Lucien's voice came from within the stone again. "I did not write the prophecy. But old blood borders recognize its language. When the third step opens, choice does not remain only inside the person. Blood, pack, family, bond, and debt begin to answer too."
