person

illuminating patches of the sleek black tiles that stretched across the floor. On the far wall, a gigantic screen commanded attention, fl

interact with the humans," the council leader pro

rs will be completely oblivious to the Throne's presence in the human

xcellent decision. Now, what did the prophecy reveal about our chosen

ef pause, one of the members finally broke the stillness, rising to address the group. "Lillith is goi

ghten in his throat. "Continue," he urge

ell disaster for her, pushing her toward a series of misguided choices and unfortunate path

ed to pay a visit to the Throne home," he declared, standing up and swiftly

****

ith

of the living room, and next to Arden was a stranger I didn't recognize. The moment I entered, all eyes s

was almost intimidating. Dressed in a long black robe, he had a face that bore the marks of time and authority, likely in his sixties or seventies. As he r

ck the thoughts right out of my head. It was unsettling how he seemed to know e

y feet. "Mom, Dad, who is this guy?" My

ly, trying to calm the situation. "D

hought everyone turned their bac

reassured me. "And he's actu

e homework due tomorrow," I said, attempting to keep

giving me a disapproving look. "Just sit down and let

nvaded my privacy w

cutting through the tension. "That's the only way

thing, the stranger raised his hand, signaling her to stop. He settled into

us. "If it comes true, you could bring down everything we've

in my stomach, but I nodded,

ead as he began to chant a spell. I was taken aback; was he some kind of witch? I had no idea. After a brief

gling to grasp what he m

h a ball on a field, s

piecing together the fragments of this strange conversation, but s

and pulled his hand away.

't had a chance to

Trust me, steering clear of hi

h someone put lives at risk?

he's just not the r

I won't reach out to him." I turned toward the

****

on the pillow. Just then, my phone vibrate

o an after-party celebrating Alaric's victory. Hearing his name brought back the warning from my "uncle," so I politely declined, saying I had homework

, staring up at it with mixed feelings. Should I really go in? A part of me was eager to see Alaric again, but another part was screaming for me

e jump. "Boo!" I turned around to see Elena, who look

e," I said, trying

" she replied, her words slightly slurred. I was curio

u know I wa

on the fence, saying, "Saw you through that. I

wash over me. "How many people

respond, my phone buzzed with a message from Mom. I sighed, g

ric again, but replied, "I have to. Mom needs me. I promise I'll m