PETER NEVER BELIEVED in ghosts until she began haunting him.

He couldn't explain why he hadn't told any of the other Shadow Knights about the young woman who occasionally appeared to him. Maybe it was because even Urios didn't know about the presence. If his own dragon could question his sanity, then surely the others would believe him insane.

He sat in the back of one of the many dark, dull rooms within the Shadow Knights' stony castle. Athaliah and Roman stood at the center of the circular area with a large desk and information-dotted board, drawling on about their master plan.

This was important. They spoke of the next steps and where they believed another key to be hidden.

But he couldn't pay attention, not when she was back.

Unfettered to basic physics, the scrawny girl floated over the central table. No, not girl. Her youthful appearance would deceive many, but not Peter. He knew who she was, or at least who she was meant to be, if his twisted mind truly did fabricate her.

Estella, fellow orphan along with the legendary Gideon, one of the ten who sacrificed themselves to seal away Lucien and Sheol, and she was also the Paladin that had resided in the domed temple along with a Sage.

She told him she preferred the name Stell.

"Peter?"

He startled at the sound of his name, and he dragged his eyes away from the ghostly image hovering over his leader. Athaliah watched him, a disapproving frown sending a chilling pang to his chest.

Roman stared over their heads, as if he would find what had caught Peter's attention so intensely.

Peter cleared his throat. "My thoughts wandered. I won't let it happen again."

Athaliah hummed, her sharp eyes slicing into him for a few moments longer before she returned to her board of notes. It could have been a lecture with the set-up of everything if a lesson replaced the extensive plans Athaliah and Roman shared.

"As I was saying, we'll send a small party to the Ahazen. Roman, you're more familiar with the handling between their kind and ours, so I'll send you along. Meanwhile, we'll have a larger party scope the Wyvern Isles so we know the next portal's location when we claim the key."

Jabu, one of the older Shadow Knights, crossed his arms and frowned. "How do we know they will give us the key?"

"The unrest is not only here," Roman replied. "I have already spoken with a few different groups, and I can find dissenters in all of them."

Satisfied, Jabu leaned back and gestured for them to proceed.

"I think you'll be sent with the Ahazen group."

Peter hadn't even seen Estella move, but he'd thankfully gotten used to her sudden whispers. He remained impassive on the outside even while his heart stuttered from the shock. A quick glance revealed the ghostly woman hanging upside down. Her brown hair remained around her shoulders despite her orientation.

He focused forward again, trying his best to act like he couldn't hear her.

"Just think about it. Who better to convince them against the ways of the world than the disgraced Sage and the boy who feels thrown away by the Paladins?"

Peter pressed his lips into a thin line. If she was trying to bait him, she did an excellent job hiding it behind a contemplative mask. He didn't feel thrown away; he had been tossed aside, unnecessary when he didn't have his little brother's talent.

She sighed. "This was always my least favorite part. The sitting before a plan took effect, waiting for every detail to reach as close to perfection as possible. Gideon excelled at it."

"Then leave," Peter hissed as quietly as possible. He could barely focus between her mere presence and the way she always sounded like she was right beside of him even when she now floated half a dozen feet away.

"Did you say something?" one of the Shadow Knights asked. Peter didn't bother to check which one. He muttered an excuse and watched unwaveringly as Athaliah hung a map of the Wyvern Isles on the wall and indicated the suspected spots. The near-fifty texts Roman had nabbed continued to supply them with priceless information.

"Who is going where?" another Shadow Knight asked. Nasrin, he saw when he glanced over. She leaned forward on her axe. From the scuffs on her face, she'd just returned from a mission.

Athaliah paused halfway to pinning another map. "We are only sending three to speak with the Ahazen," she said.

Three of them. That was too few for the situation. They'd be in a territory that could turn hostile at any moment, with no easy way to summon back-up. Peter caught mirrors of his surprise on nearly every Shadow Knight's face.

"If your concern is that you don't want it to look like we plan to attack them, couldn't we have other Shadow Knights stationed a little way away at least?" Nasrin asked.

Roman took up answering this as Athaliah smoothed out the new map. It depicted what looked to be a cave system. "We have a greater need of our forces here," Roman explained. "We are running low on food and supplies, so a portion of us need to hunt. The other group is going to the Wyvern Isles, which is one of the most dangerous areas in this realm. Both of these parties need far more manpower than a diplomatic mission."

"Or break-in, should the talks not go well," another Shadow Knight, Maurice, countered.

Athaliah, finished with the maps, lifted a manicured brow in his direction. "Should that be the case, there will be no necessity to rush. We can send over a few extra hands, as by then, I would hope that we've accomplished our scavenging. The Ahazen has sworn to be neutral territory, and they are nearly as stubborn about their word as the Sages. If we look to be the ones planning hostility, then we invite that very fate."

Her gaze swept over the room, as if challenging them to continue questioning their leader's plan. When nobody spoke up again, she smiled.

"It's coincidental that you spoke up, Nasrin, as you will accompany Roman. And Peter, you as well."

Even though part of him had anticipated it, as he couldn't deny the logic behind the dratted phantom's words, he sat up straighter at Athaliah's address.

Misreading his shock for confusion, she clarified, "You, too, are going on the diplomatic mission."

"Knew it!" Estella pumped her fist in the air.

Ignoring her, Peter nodded. "Understood."

"You two leave with Roman in an hour. Go prepare for departure."

Both Shadow Knights saluted Athaliah before departing. Peter didn't miss the way Roman's gaze followed him, and he couldn't help but wonder if his connection to the Paladins was the only reason he was with the Sage traitor.

He glanced Nasrin's way as they both walked toward the wing of the castle housing their rooms. A steely resolve hardened her eyes. Based on the glimmers he'd heard about the woman, he could understand why Athaliah assigned her to this task. If anyone would be motivated to convince the Ahazen how detrimental their situation was, it would be Nasrin.

They separated when they reached the branch leading either to the men's or women's sections. Nasrin went on her way alone; Peter still had not lost his "guest."

Focusing inward, Peter pushed through the viscous veil separating him from his bond. With a final shove, he felt Urios' presence. I'll be leaving on a mission to the human world.

Urios' reply came with the expected delay. This should be good for you. You have been acting unusual since your return from the temple. Perhaps a successful mission will clear your head.

Peter pressed his lips together. He'd arrived at his door, and he paused outside of it, his palm resting on the wood. Their doors didn't have handles or locks. They were very rudimentary, but this improvised base kept them safe from the other Soul-Bound groups.

If his bond was normal, the dragon would already know what disturbed Peter. Between the nightmares, memories, and his friendly ghost, he had a lot to keep his mind busy. They were so rampant that Urios should see them.

But artificial bonds didn't allow that closeness.

He'd been able to ignore his doubts about his bond for years. Sure, he couldn't form one naturally and Roman had to force a connection between him and a willing dragon. What mattered were his goals and determination. Athaliah had reassured him of such when she welcomed him in.

It had been enough until a few weeks ago. That cursed forest within the temple and all its bloody fear devourers. The vision of constant rejection still haunted his dreams. Even Urios had flown away, asking what good a soul-bond was when the human was too weak to form one themselves.

The fear devourers had found every scar on his mind, and they had reopened them with vicious glee.

He couldn't tell anyone about this, though, and was partially grateful Urios couldn't see an unfiltered form of his thoughts. Urios would see his weakness, and Peter would be one step closer to achieving the self-fulfilling prophecy.

Yeah, Peter finally said, hoping Urios would blame their strange bond for the delay in his reply. Maybe it will.

He opened his door just enough to slide in and then shoved it back into place. At this point, it was just pettiness that made him do it. He'd seen Estella glide through walls multiple times already.

"Please tell me you're contained to this realm." He didn't bother looking back. He knew his guest would be there.

She hummed. "I don't know, but I don't think so. You will not be rid of me that easily."

"So, what do I have to do to get you gone?" The words were nearly a growl as he fought clothes from their drawers.

For the short time that he'd had his ghostly guest, he had mostly seen her cheerfully tagging along. Something shifted with his question, though. Her expression faded, and she looked at him. Few people could study a person in a way that made them feel completely exposed. She could, he now knew, and he wanted her to go back to her light-hearted self. He had spent too many years building up his guard for her to sweep it aside with one look.

"You stand on a precipice, Peter Michaels. I'll be gone when you either dive or fall."

With that ominous response, she vanished, like leaves caught in the wind.

Peter stared at the spot where she'd once floated. His emotions had already simmered from her presence, but now the lack of it turned them to a boil. Letting out a cry of frustration, he let fire burst along his arms.

Urios appeared at the sudden magic, but Peter gave some vague explanation of a stray gremlin. It wouldn't be the first time one of those pests found their way into the castle despite Roman's void barrier.

Once Peter was left alone to his mind, he went back to angrily preparing to leave.

He was fine. Whatever precipice Estella mentioned, she had imagined it. He knew his path, and he walked it happily.

This was his purpose, and no ghost would convince him otherwise.

Fun Fact: Estella and Gideon are based on characters me and my brother made up in one of, if not the, last times we played our make believe game.

Surprise PoV! Bet you never expected to see through Peter's eyes. And we finally get to see the second guardian of the last temple and just what it was she did. Outside of that, something about this chapter felt weird. Not entirely sure what, but it's a first draft, so I'm not gonna dwell on it 😬

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter down below, and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment! I also have a discord open to anyone who wants to join, and we have a section there to discuss the book :D Let me know if you want to join!