Seraphina leaned against a rusted metal beam, her piercing eyes scanning each of them. Her confidence was unsettling, and Rose couldn't shake the feeling that this woman knew far more than she let on.
"You seem awfully sure of yourself," Rose said, her voice steady. "But confidence doesn't mean you're trustworthy."
Seraphina smirked, her gaze flicking to Sylus. "I like her. She's got bite. You picked a good one, Sylus."
Sylus's expression darkened, but he didn't take the bait. "Enough games. If you've got information, share it. Otherwise, this meeting's over."
"Oh, I've got information," Seraphina replied smoothly. "But it's not just for you. It's for her." She nodded toward Rose. "Because the truth is, she's more tangled in this web than even she realizes."
Rose's stomach churned, but she stood her ground. "Then start untangling it. I'm done being in the dark."
Seraphina's smile widened, a predator pleased with its prey. "Vienna isn't just a place. It's a vault. A sanctuary. And a trap. It holds secrets that could reshape this entire world—or destroy it. The Consortium wants control of it, and you're the key to unlocking it."
Rose's heart skipped a beat. She had heard bits of this before, but hearing it from someone so confident made it feel heavier, more real.
"I didn't ask to be a part of this," she said, her voice firm. "Why me?"
Seraphina's expression softened, just a fraction. "It's not about what you asked for. It's about what you are." She stepped closer, her gaze locking with Rose's. "You're special, Rose. The kind of special that scares people. That makes them want to control you. Or destroy you."
Sylus stepped in between them, his body a wall of tension. "Enough," he growled. "If you're just here to fill her head with half-truths and riddles, we're leaving."
Seraphina laughed, the sound sharp and cutting. "You've always been protective, Sylus. It's sweet, really. But this isn't about you. It's about her."
"Then get to the point," Lucas cut in, his tone impatient.
Seraphina turned to him, her smile fading. "The Consortium isn't the only player in this game. There are others—forces that don't care about power or control. They care about balance. And they've noticed Rose."
"Balance?" Rose repeated, her brow furrowing.
Seraphina nodded. "Think of it like this: Vienna is a scale. Whoever controls it can tip it in their favor, but if it tips too far, the whole system collapses. The Consortium wants power. The others want to keep that power from falling into the wrong hands." She paused, her gaze piercing. "You're the fulcrum, Rose. The point where everything balances—or breaks."
The weight of her words settled over them like a heavy fog. Rose felt a chill run down her spine, but she refused to let fear take hold.
"Let them come, then," she said, her voice calm but strong. "I'm not just going to stand here and let people use me. If I'm the fulcrum, I'll decide where this scale tips."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, a flicker of respect crossing her face. "Brave words. Let's hope you can back them up."
Rose turned to Sylus and Lucas, her resolve clear. "We're not running anymore. If Vienna is the key to ending this, then we need to get there first."
Sylus hesitated, his jaw clenching. He wanted to protect her, to shield her from the dangers ahead. But the fire in her eyes told him she wouldn't accept anything less than the truth—and her role in it.
"We'll do it your way, kitten," he said finally, his voice low. "But if things get too dangerous, you listen to me. Understood?"
"Understood," Rose replied, a determined smile tugging at her lips.
Seraphina clapped her hands once, breaking the tension. "Well, this just got interesting. I'll help you—for now. But make no mistake: when we get to Vienna, all bets are off."
Rose didn't flinch. She met Seraphina's gaze head-on, her confidence unwavering. "Then you'd better keep up."
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