a lay still for a long time, staring up at the ceiling as the events of the previous night replayed in her mind. It felt surreal, like some twisted ni

tailored to give her a false sense of comfort. But it would take more than a plush bed and bookshelves lined with classics

ound, heart racing. Kael stood in the doorway, watching her with that same unreada

as if they were simply two people sharing a

defiantly. "There's nothing 'good' about it

on almost amused. "I see the fir

ack. "That I'd suddenly come to a

ng hers as he approached. "No. But I hoped you

Why don't you just tell me what you want with me

mething unspoken flickering in his eyes. "It's

us. "Is that supposed to make this easi

g across his face, as if her laughter had struc

ded. "You keep saying I 'belong' to

she thought he looked almost... conflicted. But the hesitation was go

low. "But there's more to you than you know

skepticism hardening. "You

n intensity that made her breath catch. "But it's the truth. You feel it, don't you?

se she had felt it-a strange, inexplicable connection, an unnatural pull that she'd been trying

her voice sounded more confident th

ne that didn't quite reach his eyes. "If

eel," she spat, her anger flari

softly, his gaze lingering on her face. "

stepped back, gesturing tow

refuse to play along with whatever he had planned. But another part of her-the part desperate for

hrough rooms that were equally grand yet shadowed, filled with the same sense of old-world elegance and power. She c

or her to step inside. She hesitated, feeling an instinctual wariness settle

ooks of every shape and size. At the far end was a large desk piled with papers and maps, and a fireplace crackled s

es of jewelry, and a single, small mirror with a strange symbol etched into its frame.

houlder at Kael, who had closed the door behind th

nd," he said simply, as thou

ed, a bitter sound. "

arkening. "You are, Elena. That'

"Stop saying that. Stop pretending there's

a whisper. He reached out, gently taking her han

the frame. Her reflection stared back at her, but there was something strange about it, something sh

his?" she murmured

ving her face. "You're tied to this world, Elena. To me

staring at him in disbelief. "No. I do

ures. "You can deny it all you want, but it won't change what

back, shaking her he

nge mix of resignation and determination. "B

t name, something that made her heart beat just a little faster. But she forced herself

his," she said quietly, her

ing moment, he looked almost... vulnerable. "It doe

nd on the doorknob as he looked back at her. "We'll t

ence of the library, surrounded by artifacts that seemed to pulse with secrets, thei

nd emotions she couldn't untangle. She glanced back at the mirror,

eld, or what Kael expected her to

just the