The Lost Thread (Heirs of the Shattered Veil #2)

1. Chapter 1

UNKNOWN

The shackles came off in sequence.Wrist. Wrist. Throat.Each lock required a different key.

Each key held by a different priest. None of them met my eyes.Correct decision.

To look at me is to invite the end.The chamber registered as cold.

Stone. Iron. The acrid tang of containment glyphs still smoking where they'd been carved into my skin. Fresh ones. The priests believe that deeper ink creates a stronger cage. Error.The cage is not made of ink. It is made of the King’s word.

And the King’s word is the only law I recognize.The final shackle struck the floor.

A resonant impact. Like a bell marking the end of a service.The priests stepped back.

All of them. A synchronized retreat that had nothing to do with ritual and everything to do with instinct.Afraid.Registered.

No response logged. Satisfaction parameters inactive.

Emotional registers largely dormant. Only one signal remained persistent—Her.Abort.The thought was terminated before full formation.

Names create vectors. Names engage the first-vow.

The first-vow is classified as a breach risk.A door opened somewhere above.

Footsteps descended. Measured. Visual confirmation unnecessary.

"The Rupture has surfaced."The King’s voice branded the air.

Internal response: involuntary contraction beneath the sternum.

First-vow activity spiked—Protect—Countermeasures deployed.Protect the Crown.Serve the King.Hunt.Kill.Obey.Musculature locked.

Minor tremor beneath the left eye. Acceptable deviation.

"She is weakened," the King continued. "Fleeing through the Dead Zone with the traitor Crownforged.

You will retrieve them both."Order logged.

Retrieve directive.Terminal efficiency favored.Asset survival not prioritized over retrieval.My voice came out like rust and gravel.

Disuse and damage."Authorization."The King’s satisfaction registered by the snarl forming on his lips.

"Burn what you must. Kill who you must. Bring me the Crownforged and the rupture.

You are my will made flesh."I stood.Priests scattered.No attempt was made to access restricted memory sectors.No names were retrieved.No prior vows accessed.Grey dawn detected at the threshold.Hunt protocol active.