Salt burned her throat
Cassiia coughed violently, her lungs convulsing as seawater poured from her mouth. Her body trembled against the sand, soaked and freezing, her wetsuit clinging to her like a second skin. The sky above was a dull, bruised silver, clouds dragging across it like torn fabric
She rolled onto her side, gasping. Her fingers dug into the wet sand, anchoring her to something real. Her dive watch blinked erratically, cracked and waterlogged. Her head throbbed. Her ears rang. Her memory was a blur
She remembered the reef. The sudden drop. The current that came out of nowhere. The way the light vanished beneath her. The pressure. The silence. Then nothing
Now she was here
The beach stretched endlessly in both directions, empty except for driftwood and gulls. The waves hissed behind her like they were whispering secrets she wasn't supposed to hear
In her right hand, something pulsed
She looked down
A stone. Smooth, dark, and warm. It glowed faintly, like it had a heartbeat of its own. She didn't remember grabbing it. Didn't remember seeing it underwater. But it was there, nestled in her palm like it belonged
What the hell she whispered
A soft sound made her freeze
Something was watching her
A small creature stood a few feet away, half-hidden behind a broken plank. It looked like a fox, but not quite. Its fur shimmered like starlight trapped in ink. Its eyes were violet, glowing faintly. It tilted its head at her
You're real Cassiia said, voice hoarse
The creature blinked
She stood, legs shaky. The stone stayed warm in her hand. She didn't want to let go of it. Didn't know why. It felt like it was part of her now, like it had been waiting
The beach curved into a path that led uphill. Beyond the dunes, she saw rooftops, stone buildings, smoke curling from chimneys, flags she didn't recognize. A town. Not modern. Not even close
She started walking. The creature followed
The town was alive in a way that felt ancient. People bartered in open-air markets. Horses clopped down cobbled streets. No phones. No cars. No one looked twice at her, even though she was dripping wet and clearly not from here
She passed a stall selling bread and olives. Her stomach growled. The vendor gave her a look
You lost, traveler the man asked
Cassiia opened her mouth. Closed it. Then nodded
The man frowned. You look like you've seen a ghost
I think I might be one she muttered
The man laughed and handed her a piece of bread. Eat. You'll feel more alive
She sat on a low wall and ate in silence. The creature curled at her feet like it belonged there. The stone pulsed faintly in her hand
Then the sky darkened
Fast
One moment it was afternoon. The next, clouds rolled in like a warning. Thunder cracked, sharp and sudden
Cassiia looked up. That's not normal
The creature stood. Its ears twitched. It looked toward the sea
Another crack. Louder. Closer
The stone in her pocket burned hot
Then the lightning hit
It wasn't like in movies. No time to run. No dramatic slow motion. Just a blinding flash, a sound like the world splitting open
And then nothing
She woke to warmth and the scent of herbs
Her arm ached. Then didn't
Someone was speaking
Did you kidnap her a voice asked, amused
No another voice replied. She was just there. In front of my temple
Cassiia blinked. The ceiling above her was white stone and gold. A boy stood over her, pressing something cool to her arm. His hair was golden, his eyes the color of sunlight through honey
You're awake he said
She stared. Who
I'm Solin he said. You're not supposed to be here
From somewhere nearby, another voice chimed in. A boy with silver rings and a smirk lounged in the doorway, tossing a coin in the air
Where am I Cassiia asked
Solin met her gaze. Somewhere between myth and mistake
The creature padded into the room and curled beside her
She sat up slowly. Her body still felt like it had been hit by a truck. I was diving. I drowned. I think. And now I'm here
Solin nodded like that made perfect sense. The sea doesn't always take. Sometimes it trades
She looked down at the stone in her hand. It was still warm. Still pulsing
What is this
Solin's expression shifted. That's complicated
Try me
He hesitated. It's a seal. A lock. A memory. Depends who you ask
She frowned. And you
I think it's a warning
She didn't like the way he said that. Like he'd seen it before. Like he knew what came next
The boy in the doorway stretched. Well this is going to be fun. The gods are going to lose their minds
Cassiia blinked. The what
Solin stood. You should rest. You're going to need it
For what
He didn't answer. Just walked out of the room, his footsteps soft against the stone
She lay back down. The ceiling spun. The creature pressed against her side, warm and steady
She closed her eyes
She dreamed of a hall made of bone. A crown that whispered. A voice that said her name like it had always known it
When she woke, the stone was glowing. And the creature was staring at her like it remembered something she didn't