Chapter 131

SERAPHINA The isolation chamber was sterile in a way that felt deliberately hostile—white walls that seemed to absorb sound, runic patterns etched into every surface to prevent magical communication, and a single observation window that reflected my image back like a mirror. They wanted me to feel alone, cut off, vulnerable. Instead, I felt the steady pulse of our hidden bond running beneath their detection threshold like an underground river. Ruvan's lunar magic flowed through pathways they couldn't map, while Kaelos's draconic essence anchored us to something deeper than their instruments could reach. "Guardian Seraphina," came a voice through the chamber's communication system. Not Lady Vex—someone I didn't recognize, which meant they had brought in specialists for this operation. "We're going to begin with some simple flame exercises. Please generate a small fire and maintain it while we take readings." I summoned flame to my palm, keeping it contained and unremarkable while projec