Selene's return to Aveline was swift and silent, shadows clinging to her as though they, too, sensed her new purpose. The Phantom Queen's words echoed in her mind, a dark hymn guiding her every step. She felt the amulet's weight against her chest, the power it held quietly simmering, as if waiting to be unleashed.
The wolf trotted at her side, its amber eyes scanning the winding alleys and rooftops above. Its silent vigilance comforted her, reminding her that she wasn't truly alone—even if the path ahead was more dangerous than she'd ever imagined.
She approached the city gate just as dusk settled, bathing Aveline in a deep, crimson light. The guards on duty barely spared her a glance; she was just another hooded figure slipping into the crowded streets, disappearing among the evening crowds. But as she moved deeper into the heart of Aveline, the weight of the Queen's power seemed to press down harder. Her senses sharpened, each sight and sound magnified. Every whisper, every glint of steel caught her attention.
She headed toward the marketplace, where the vendors were packing up for the night, their stalls half-shrouded in the growing darkness. She'd been here countless times, slipping through the throngs, lifting coins from careless hands. But tonight, her steps were purposeful. She wasn't here for petty theft. She was here to find answers.
A hooded figure approached her from the shadows, his eyes sharp and wary. He was a man she recognized from her life in the underbelly of Aveline—a smuggler named Rylan, known for his connections to the city's powerful guilds. She'd helped him on a few heists before, each encounter cold and professional, without questions or attachments.
"Selene," he murmured, his voice low. "I didn't expect to see you here. Thought you'd finally left for good."
She didn't waste time on pleasantries. "I need information, Rylan. About Lord Avedon."
He stiffened, glancing around as though the very name would summon spies from the shadows. "That's dangerous talk," he whispered. "The Lord's been… restless lately. More patrols, more interrogations. He's hunting for something—or someone."
Selene felt the amulet's pulse against her skin, the Phantom Queen's presence prickling at the edge of her mind. "What is he looking for?" she pressed, her tone cold.
Rylan shifted uncomfortably, his gaze darting around the marketplace. "There's talk of a… relic. An artifact linked to an ancient bloodline. Some say it's cursed, others say it's a weapon. But whatever it is, Avedon wants it badly. He's even brought in enforcers from outside the city—men who don't ask questions, who don't leave witnesses."
Selene's pulse quickened. Avedon's search for the amulet was growing more intense. If he knew she possessed it, he would stop at nothing to seize it from her. She tightened her grip on the amulet, feeling its warmth seep into her skin.
"Do you know where he keeps his private records?" she asked, her voice steady.
Rylan's eyes widened, and for a moment, he looked as though he might turn and flee. "You don't understand," he hissed. "Avedon's manor is a fortress. There are guards on every floor, patrols day and night. And the records… they're in his private study. No one gets in or out without his say."
Selene's gaze hardened. "Then I'll find another way."
Rylan shook his head, his expression a mix of fear and admiration. "You're mad. If Avedon catches you… it'll be more than just your life at stake. He'll make an example out of you."
A flicker of doubt crossed her mind, but the Phantom Queen's voice cut through, cold and unyielding.
"He is nothing. His power is a pale shadow of yours. Go, and claim what is rightfully yours."
Selene forced a tight smile, her resolve hardening. "Thank you, Rylan. That's all I needed to know."
Before he could reply, she melted back into the shadows, her steps soundless as she wove through the city's winding alleys. The night deepened, the stars flickering into view as the last of the vendors left the marketplace. Aveline's once-bustling streets now lay empty, silent save for the distant footsteps of the city watch.
She approached Avedon's manor under the cover of darkness, slipping past the guards stationed near the entrance. The building loomed above her, its stone walls imposing, its windows darkened save for a single light glowing in the upper tower—Avedon's private study.
Scaling the wall was child's play, her movements practiced and fluid. She reached the window, peering inside to find the study empty, the flickering candle casting eerie shadows over rows of ancient scrolls and leather-bound books. She slipped inside, landing softly on the thick carpet, her eyes scanning the room.
The Queen's voice murmured in her mind, a whisper of approval. "This is where you will find your answers. The knowledge he hoards is power, hidden from those who would use it against him."
Selene's gaze fell on the large, ornate desk at the center of the room. Papers were strewn across its surface—maps, letters, and a single, weathered tome bound in dark leather. She reached for it, her fingers brushing over its cracked cover.
As she opened the tome, a chill ran down her spine. Inside were drawings and descriptions, each page detailing a different artifact, a relic of ancient power. She flipped through them, her heart pounding as she saw sketches of amulets, daggers, rings—all imbued with deadly enchantments. And on the final page, her breath caught.
A drawing of her amulet stared back at her, the eclipse symbol etched into its surface unmistakable. Beneath the drawing, in elegant, looping script, were the words: The Eclipse Talisman—bound to the line of shadows, to the last blood of the Phantom Queen.
She barely had time to process the words before the door creaked open. She spun around, instinctively reaching for the amulet. Lord Avedon stood in the doorway, his face twisted in a mixture of fury and triumph.
"So," he sneered, his eyes glinting in the candlelight. "The little thief finally reveals herself. Did you really think you could steal from me and escape unnoticed?"
Selene's heart raced, but the Queen's presence steadied her, lending her a strength she hadn't realized she possessed. "This amulet was never yours," she replied coldly. "It belongs to a legacy you couldn't hope to understand."
Avedon laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "The legacy of a dead queen? A myth to frighten children. But you… you're real. And with that talisman, I'll have all the power I need to crush my enemies."
He took a step forward, his hand reaching for the dagger at his belt. Selene tightened her grip on the amulet, feeling the shadows swirl around her, drawn to her call. The Phantom Queen's voice whispered in her mind, urging her to unleash the power she'd kept hidden.
"Strike, child. Show him what it means to challenge the Queen of Shadows."
Avedon lunged, his dagger gleaming, but Selene was faster. She raised her hand, and the shadows surged forward, wrapping around his arm, his legs, binding him in place. He struggled, his face twisting in rage, but the shadows held firm, bending to her will.
"Release me!" he snarled, his voice cracking with desperation.
Selene stepped closer, her gaze cold and unyielding. "You wanted power, Avedon? Then know that it comes with a price."
For a moment, she considered finishing him here and now, ending the threat he posed. But a small part of her hesitated. Despite the Queen's urging, she didn't want to become a monster, to lose herself completely to the darkness.
She released the shadows, letting them fade back into the dim corners of the room. Avedon stumbled, his face pale as he backed away, eyes wide with terror.
"You will regret this," he whispered, his voice laced with fear. "I will hunt you to the ends of the earth."
Selene smiled, a dark confidence burning within her. "You can try. But remember, Lord Avedon… the shadows are always watching."
With that, she turned, slipping through the window and disappearing into the night, the wolf at her side. She didn't look back, her resolve hardening as she melted into the darkness.
The Queen's voice lingered in her mind, soft and satisfied. "Well done, my child. You are one step closer to claiming your true destiny."
And as Selene vanished into the shadows, she felt a fierce determination rising within her. She was no longer just a girl, no longer a mere thief. She was the last of the Phantom Queen's bloodline, and her journey was only beginning.