she was gone, vanished without a trace. It was as if she had been erased from existence. Sera returned to Evelyn's cottage several times, but

tried to ignore it, to push the terrifying visions and Evelyn's cryptic warnings to the back of her mind, bu

amily friend" had expressed a desire to meet her. The friend, Lord Valerius, was a prominent figure

ally someone connected to her father's mysterious past. But Mr. Thorne insisted, explaining that

Sera arrived promptly at the designated time, feeling a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. The lobby of

elegantly furnished living room. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking panoramic view

ng figure, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit. His silver hair was swept ba

p features, high cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes. He had a warm, welcomi

p and resonant. "It's a pleasure to

u too, Lord Valerius," Sera

k on her wrist, Sera felt a jolt of energy pass between them. For a fleeting moment, she

away. "Did you...?" she stamme

le still warm and welcoming. "Did I what, Ms. Mor

en. Had she imagined it? Had the stress a

eling foolish. "I just...I

rhaps it was just the light,"

at down. Valerius sat opposite her, his gaze fixed

recently inherited your fath

eling a knot of anxiety

ontinued, his voice tinged with a hint of sadn

him well?"

eplied. "We were close

work, and his passions. Valerius shared anecdotes that Sera had

eyes from her mind, but it lingered, a constant reminder of the

to the "legacy," the mysterious seconda

on a more serious tone. "He believed it was of great importance, a respo

is?" Sera asked, her

ings," he said, "but not everything. Your father believed

h?" Sera persisted. "

reau," he said, "is something

, the same jolt of energy passed between them, and the same flash of red appeared in Valerius's eyes. This

ding in her chest. "I saw it again," she said, h

is face. But there was a subtle shift in his demeanor, a hint of som

iny that is intertwined with your family's legacy. But there are forces at play, forces that seek t

ind reeling. What was he

s continued. "Trust no one. And remember,

as over. Sera rose to her feet, feeling a sens

ngly strong. "We will meet again, Ms. Moreau," he said, his voice now laced with

d, she glanced back one last time. Valerius stood by the window, his figure silhouetted against the city lights.