Chapter 23 · The Woman in the Mask

"That's not possible." Aiden's voice cracked.

The white wolf carved into the wall had my eyes.

Silver-gold. Glowing from the stone. The same eyes I'd seen in the mirror every morning before the curse locked my wolf away.

Rex's hand closed around my shoulder. "Ivy. Look at me."

I couldn't. The wolf was enormous, ancient, and carved with my face. Its stone gaze followed me across the temple.

The chained woman laughed. "You finally see it."

Cain was still on his knees, blood dripping from his hand. The royal mark on his forearm pulsed brighter with every beat.

"Who are you?" I asked.

She tilted her head. The chains scraped against the floor. "You know who I am, little princess."

"I don't know you."

"You knew what they buried. You just let them bury it deeper."

The wolf shifted its head.

The temple shook. Dust spilled from the ceiling. Footsteps thundered somewhere above us.

Rex drew me behind him. "Hunters."

"They were always going to find us," Aiden said.

He wasn't watching the stairs. He was watching me.

"Ivy, I need to tell you something. My brother made me swear I'd never—"

"Your brother buried her bloodline.