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“She’s certainly a good candidate,” Dia noted, hand outstretched as her fingers curled between the cup’s handle. “I’ve never seen anyone get those two boys to work as well together as she could. And if tonight is any indication,” she added, “it only solidifies your suspicions further.”

Aurora clapped her hands together excitedly. “Then we finally have one? A genuine Custodian has graced us with their presence?”

Dia’s gaze drifted around her study, fixating on the kintsugi piece on display. Its golden veins almost seemed to shimmer in response, pulsing throughout the fossil’s surface. “Let’s give it time. She’s only just started figuring out her role in all of this.” Her attention shifted to her teacup, gently swirling the contents within before taking a sip. “I’m sure the urges have begun to surface; we’ll give her the freedom to work it out herself.”

“And if she requires assistance?” Aurora asked. “She will need training soon enough. To have such energy flow so freely—it is certain to attract attention from them.”

Dia sighed, waving her free hand as an ancient journal fluttered off the bookshelf and into her palm. Its pages flicked open, settling on a particular entry as she brought it down for inspection. The images were drawn with sickly red lines, showcasing uncanny, humanoid shapes swathed in jagged wings and pointed smiles. “She’s still working through the existence of lycanthropes. Revealing too much may send her into shock.”

“We cannot delay too long,” Aurora warned. “If these last months have shown anything, it is that Aria is far more capable than her mother ever was. And her enemies are just as eager to act as she is to learn.”

The journal snapped shut, pushed back into the air as Dia took another sip. “I know. And that’s what worries me.”

Another sigh slipped out as she waved her hand again, pulling the fossil from the shelf for closer inspection. Her fingers traced the golden veins, sending a tingling sensation throughout her body.

“It will be alright this time,” Aurora reassured her. “The Daywalker’s Curse will remain strong.”

Dia winced, her finger catching on a jagged piece of stone. She lifted it upwards, watching a drop of blood fall upon the fossil. The gold seemed to suck it up in an instant, turning a brilliant rose-gold color before changing back.

“I hope you’re right,” she whispered softly. “I truly hope you’re right.”