breaths were shallow, and her heart thudded loudly in her ears. Behind her, the sounds of the strug

adow in a strange, almost menacing glow. Raven didn't dare look back, fear

w café. It was late, but Evelyn Thornfield often stayed behind after hours t

tled. She wiped her hands on her apron, her sharp eyes scannin

. Her mind raced, trying to piece together what had just occurred. "The

worry. She stepped out from behind the counter, placing a steadying han

e trembling. "And Kael, he's fi

unreadable. "Sit," she said firmly, guiding Raven to

s on her hands from where she'd stumbled through the woods. Evelyn returned mom

lyn urged. "

ut even as her body began to relax, her mind remained alert. "Evelyn," s

tion of a second before she resumed c

aring into her tea. "Kael said I'm tied to somet

e lock, flipping the sign to Closed. She returned to the table, pulling a chair clos

aid quietly. "But if vampires are after you, it means the rumors are

asked, her voice ba

Finally, she leaned in and said, "There's a prophecy. An old one, about a hybrid, a child bor

from her face. "What does

f the Duskbanes are protecting you and vampires are hu

their eyes snapping to the glass. A figure stood outside, silhouetted in the moonl

t friend. "Raven?" Ivy's voice was laced with concern. She hurried inside, her blonde hair

elyn cut her off. "Lock the door, Ivy,"

fé was sealed from prying eyes, she turned back to the two women,

said, her voice barely steady. "Kael

ering. "Vampires? In Shadow

er tone grim. "And it means Shadowmere is

Raven, her hand reaching out to sq

hardened. "We keep h

t life was gone, shattered by a truth she didn't fully understand. All sh