Page 164 of The Last Guardian

I went still.

My eyes fell on the silvery rope that danced in front of me, floating in the wind in crystalline shards. Oh…

The last pillar—it was just in front of me. Waiting for me. Larger than the ones I had seen before, it boasted a captivating emerald-colored gemstone that glowed intensely.

The memory with my mother—it was the Threshold. The last one.

A Threshold is a point of confrontation with every self: past, present, and fated.

My thoughts wandered as something greater than ever before overcame me. A hot, overwhelming wave spread in my bones, pulsing through my veins. Unlike any other time, this one felt like the rope pulled through my soul.

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the powerful flow that surrounded me. Soothing every nerve, taking hold of every part of me.

Taking one last, deep breath, I planted myself firmly in the heart of the stone. The potent force enveloped me once more.

This time was distinctly different from the previous two. I felt powerful, as if I were the energy itself. It felt as if it was etched into the core of my soul.

I WAS LYING on the floor when I returned to reality. My knees pressed against my chest when a burning sensation swept over my skin.

Something had been carved into my flesh, right on the side of my left hand, on my little finger, and etched into my skin, as if it had always been there.

If I hadn’t felt it with my body, I would have missed it; it was so discreet.

The design was stunning, with two intertwined main lines converging at one end, adorned with small stars, and a swirling pattern at the other. In the center, a small circle joined the two lines, forming a cross with a circle inside.

It wasn’t swollen, like the mark; it wasn’t inked either, like a tattoo. No, it was as if the lines of my skin had shifted. As if they had always been there, waiting for me to discover them.

To see them.

When I made contact with the lines with another finger, the entire design glowed. I quickly withdrew my finger, and the gleam disappeared.

My heart thundered in my chest, and a deep instinct washed over my soul, urging me to step out of my room. To see…

I left my quarters without my slippers. I rushed up the stairs, feeling the chilly air on my bare feet as I walked, sensing that fall had arrived. My skin was numb from the frigid air, and it dawned on me that nothing but my midnight-blue nightgown and robe kept me warm as I stood atop the staircase.

My body acted on instinct as I knocked on the suite’s door right above mine.

Zaid’s door.

THE MOMENT MY fingers touched the door, reality came back in waves of confusion, panic, and thrilling shivers.

What time was it? The night had already fallen hours ago. Not a single sound came from the main deck, only the waves dancing against the hull of the ship, rocking gently.

The moonlight spread in infinite stars on the sea; only its rays gleamed in the darkness.

It must have been late in the night. Zaid was likely sleeping.

Stars, make sure that he is actually sleeping, and I don’t wake him with my knock, I prayed.

As the reality of my actions came back to me, my body moved on its own, turning to find my way to my quarters. But just as my toe grazed the top stair, the squeak of an opening door halted me.

“Alyana?” Zaid’s voice stopped me mid-step, and my heart skipped a beat. The mere vibrancy of his voice sent delicious shivers running down my spine.

Damn his voice. Damn the way he said my name and how good it sounded when he said it.

As if drawn by a magnet, I slowly rotated, confronting the actions I hadn’t even considered I would face in leaving my room.

Zaid’s tall body leaned against the door frame, and just the sight of him made my heart stumble in my chest.