ad learned early
nvisibility like a second skin. There was no record of where she came from, no childhood photos, no teary relatives to claim
... they we
living room, watched soap operas, and pretended Elara didn't exist unless it was to scrub something. Their son, Garrett, three y
idn't cry.
that earned praise. She read books, but not the ones people traded in class. She drew things-ancient
ay she turn
________________
ed with
lver eyes approached her, silent, reverent. Behind it, a figure cloaked in shadow watched, unmovi
hless. And the
ark she had never seen before-circular, etched in what looked like
ipped he
to cover it. It bled through the fabr
ce banged at the door. "Wh
ing on a hoodie and hiding
like a second heartbeat. People stared more than usual. Garrett laughed louder. But
the silence. And worst of all, she could feel something watching her.
ted, the need to get home rep
dn't m
t. He was faster than any human, but she saw him coming. Tal
ed back, and the mark
ched fire. But another appeare
ripped over roots, mud clinging to her legs. Her vision blurred,
lone. Without answers.
n he ap
_______________
ike the moon. He moved like smoke and thunder. One attacker fell. T
est wen
She stared at the stranger
r. Stepped into
ous, and familiar in a way
t you are yet," he
k a ste
who ar
d his head, g
ur guardian. And if we don'
questions. She wanted to s
her-ancient and burie
she
oonstone stepped out of the