The ritual was brutal.
The stone beneath me cracked as magic poured in. Runes carved themselves into my skin. The Academy’s walls whispered. Its bones bent toward my breath.
I could feel every heartbeat inside its walls.
Every scream.
Every life.
Lilith stood over me, hands glowing crimson. "You’ve done it," she whispered. "You’re the soul of this place now."
I looked up at her. "Then don’t let me forget who I am."
She leaned down, kissed my forehead.
"I won’t."