The Raven’s Hollow wasn’t on any official map, which was exactly the point. It sat on the edge of a dead forest, hidden beneath the thick, twisted canopy of black-barked trees. The air smelled faintly of smoke and damp earth, and the sound of distant whispers threaded through the branches like ghosts.

  Kain adjusted his cloak as he and Selene stepped through the narrow, overgrown path leading toward a crooked wooden gate. A single iron lantern flickered weakly above the entrance, casting a pale glow on the weathered wood.

  “Well,” Kain said, brushing a low-hanging branch aside, “this looks inviting.”

  Selene’s gaze scanned the darkened treeline. Her hand hovered near the hilt of her dagger. “Do you always talk this much when you’re walking into a trap?”

  Kain’s smile was easy. “Helps me think.”

  Selene’s mouth twitched. “It’s a wonder you get anything done.”

  Kain chuckled and pushed open the gate. Beyond it lay a courtyard paved with cracked stone and overgrown with moss. A series of low, timber-framed buildings ringed the perimeter, their windows glowing with faint yellow light.

  In the center of the courtyard stood a stone well. A figure sat on its edge, legs crossed. She was tall and lean, her skin pale beneath the dim lantern light. Long black hair spilled over one shoulder, and her violet eyes glinted in the darkness. A silver dagger spun lazily between her fingers.

  “Alina, I presume?” Kain asked.

  Alina’s gaze drifted toward him. A faint smile touched her lips. “And you must be the anomaly.”

  Kain’s brow lifted. “You’ve heard of me?”

  Alina stood in a single, fluid motion. Her movements were almost predatory. “Draven’s message was clear.” Her gaze slid toward Selene. “You brought company.”

  Selene’s gaze sharpened. “You have a problem with that?”

  Alina’s smile widened. “Not at all. I like to know who I’m working with.”

  Kain stepped toward the well. “We’re here for information.”

  Alina’s violet eyes gleamed. “Information has a price.”

  Kain pulled the iron medallion from his pocket and held it out. The sigil etched into the metal pulsed faintly beneath his fingers.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Alina’s gaze flicked toward it. Then she stepped closer, her fingers brushing over his hand as she took the medallion. Her touch was cold and lingering.

  “Draven wouldn’t have sent you unless you were useful,” Alina murmured. Her gaze lifted to his. “But I’m not convinced yet.”

  Kain’s smile widened. “I’m open to a demonstration.”

  Alina’s smile sharpened. “Good.”

  She stepped back and flicked the dagger into the air. It spun once before embedding itself into the stone beside Kain’s boot. He didn’t flinch.

  Alina’s smile deepened. “Follow me.”

  She turned and walked toward one of the timber-framed buildings. Kain and Selene exchanged a glance before following.

  The interior was dimly lit by flickering wall sconces. The walls were lined with shelves holding glass vials, scrolls, and iron lockboxes. A long wooden table dominated the center of the room, scattered with parchment and ink-stained maps.

  Alina stopped at the head of the table. “Sit.”

  Kain pulled out a chair and sat. Selene remained standing near the door.

  Alina’s gaze lingered on him. “Tell me what you know about the Architects.”

  Kain’s expression didn’t shift. “They’re the ones who built the system.”

  Alina’s gaze darkened. “That’s the story, yes.”

  Kain leaned back. “And?”

  Alina’s violet eyes sharpened. “And they didn’t create it. They found it.”

  Kain’s brow lifted. “Go on.”

  Alina’s hand brushed across the edge of the table. “The system wasn’t designed by mortals. It’s… ancient. Predating the first recorded era. The Architects discovered it, reverse-engineered parts of it, and built their empire on top of it.”

  Kain’s smile faded. “And the corruption?”

  Alina’s mouth tightened. “That’s the part they couldn’t control.”

  Selene’s gaze sharpened. “Meaning?”

  Alina’s violet eyes gleamed in the dim light. “The system is alive.”

  Kain’s brow furrowed. “Alive how?”

  Alina’s smile was thin. “Sentient. Reactive. It learns. It adapts. And when something foreign enters its structure…”

  “It treats it like a virus,” Kain finished.

  Alina’s smile sharpened. “Exactly.”

  Kain’s fingers tapped lightly against the table. His gaze darkened. “And if I’m the virus?”

  Alina’s smile deepened. “Then you’re in more danger than you realize.”

  Kain’s eyes glinted. “Good thing I’m hard to kill.”

  Alina leaned forward, her fingers brushing his hand. Her touch was cool, her violet eyes steady. “We’ll see about that.”

  Kain’s smile returned. “I like your confidence.”

  Alina’s lips curled. “I like your recklessness.”

  Selene’s gaze darkened. “Enough flirting. What’s the next step?”

  Alina’s smile widened. “You want answers? You’ll have to earn them.”

  Kain’s brow lifted. “What’s the test?”

  Alina’s violet eyes gleamed. “The Hollow Depths.”

  Kain’s smile sharpened. “Sounds cozy.”

  Alina’s gaze glinted. “It’s not.”

  She pulled a thin silver ring from her pocket and slid it across the table.

  “This will mark you as a participant,” Alina said. “If you survive the Depths… I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

  Kain picked up the ring. A faint pulse of cold magic flickered against his skin. His gaze sharpened.

  Selene’s eyes narrowed. “What happens if he doesn’t survive?”

  Alina’s smile was razor-sharp. “Then he wasn’t worth my time.”

  Kain’s gaze darkened. He slipped the ring onto his finger. A chill ran through his veins. His smile widened.

  “Challenge accepted.”