Valeria's POV
A Few Days Later..
The days following Elias's visit felt like a slow-moving river, each moment dragging by as I waited for the inevitable. The supernatural world was coming for me, and no amount of preparation seemed enough to brace for what was to come. But in the midst of the chaos, something inside me shifted—an ancient power that had lain dormant, suppressed by my own hand, stirred ever so slightly. It felt like a whisper at the back of my mind, urging me to embrace it once again. Let them come, I thought. Let them see what happens when they challenge me.
Adrian and I had been moving through our routines with a quiet intensity, the unspoken understanding that whatever was coming would be a storm we'd face together. He remained close, always vigilant, his protective instincts sharp, but even he could sense the underlying tension—something had changed in me. I wasn't the same Valeria I had been before Nyx. That battle had cracked something wide open, and now I was no longer just a siren, bound by the laws of this world. The Celestial within me was waking up.
But Adrian… Adrian was changing, too. The more he stood by my side, the more he seemed to shift, subtly at first, like a ripple beneath the surface. He was becoming more attuned to the supernatural world, to the forces that governed it, and I could see it in the way he looked at me now. The way he responded to the whispers of the world beyond, as if he could almost hear them too.
I knew what that meant. Anyone who became my partner—body and soul—would share my powers. A bond, forged in the deepest essence of who we were, would link us in ways neither of us could fully understand. And with Adrian, I felt that bond deepening, slowly but surely.
The weight of my past was settling heavily on my shoulders. The secrets I had buried deep within me were no longer just mine to carry. The truth about my true nature was out there, and every supernatural creature in the world could sense it.
Adrian's eyes had been on me constantly, studying me like I was a ticking bomb. But his presence, though comforting, couldn't ease the storm brewing inside me. I wasn't sure if he knew how to approach me anymore—after all, he had seen the depths of my power before, but he hadn't seen it like this. No one had.
I stood by the window in our penthouse, staring out over the city as the setting sun cast its golden glow over the skyline. It was beautiful, serene, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming—something dark, something dangerous.
The sound of footsteps behind me broke my concentration. Adrian's familiar presence radiated through the room before he spoke, his voice low. "We need to talk."
I didn't turn to face him, though I could feel his eyes on me. "About what?" I asked, my voice steady, though my insides churned with a thousand unspoken words.
He sighed, his footsteps coming closer until I could feel the heat of his body against my back. He was so close now that I could feel the tension in him—he was trying to hold on, trying to protect me, but there was a storm inside him, too. "Elias was right about one thing," he said, his tone carefully controlled. "The supernatural world is on edge. I've been hearing whispers—vampires, witches, even some creatures are starting to take notice. And it's not just about Talon. They know what you really are, Valeria. They know about the Celestial power."
I turned to face him then, my eyes locking with his. I could see the worry in his gaze, but it didn't faze me. I knew the risks. I had always known them. "I've been listening to the whispers, too," I said coldly. "Let them come. They'll learn what happens when they try to control me."
Adrian didn't say anything at first, his eyes searching mine as if trying to read the truth beneath the surface. But then he stepped back, his shoulders tense, his jaw tight with unspoken frustration. "You're not invincible, Valeria. I know you're strong, but there are things out there—things even you might not be able to handle."
I smirked, the edge of ruthlessness returning to my voice. "I've handled worse, Adrian. And I'll handle this, too. You don't need to worry about me."
He took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress the urge to argue. "I'll worry about you as long as you're in danger. And right now, we both are."
I didn't respond right away, my gaze sliding back to the window, where the city stretched endlessly before me. The sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a rich purple and orange. It was beautiful, just like everything I had fought for—and just like everything that was now threatened by my very existence.
"I don't need protection," I said, my voice low, controlled, and final. "What I need is answers. Why is it that every supernatural creature in this world is suddenly so interested in me? Talon, Elias, and now even others—why? What do they want from me?"
Adrian's eyes darkened, his expression serious. "It's not just about you, Valeria. It's about the balance of power. The supernatural world has been in equilibrium for centuries, and now you've disrupted that balance. The Celestial power within you—that's something they can't ignore. Some will want to use you, some will want to destroy you, and others will try to control you. But one thing is certain—they won't stop coming for you."
I let the words sink in, my gaze turning steely. "Then let them try."
Adrian stepped closer again, his voice soft but firm. "There's more to it than just power, Valeria. There's the risk that even those you call allies might turn against you. We can't trust anyone, not even the ones who've stood by you in the past. Everyone's playing their own game now, and you're a pawn in theirs. You've become a target."
I looked up at him, my eyes narrowing slightly. "You think they'll betray me?"
His lips pressed into a hard line, his frustration evident. "I don't know, Valeria. But we need to be prepared. Trusting anyone blindly in this world—especially now—could be a mistake."
I felt a coldness settle over me, but it wasn't fear. It was the bitter taste of betrayal waiting to happen. "I'm not worried about them. I've never needed anyone. I can handle this alone."
Adrian's eyes flashed with something that almost looked like anger. "This isn't something you can handle alone. You have to trust someone, Valeria. You have to trust me."
I gave him a small, almost cruel smile. "I trust no one, Adrian. Not anymore."
There was a long silence between us, filled only by the distant hum of the city below. But in that silence, I realized something: I wasn't just facing the supernatural world. I was facing something deeper, and I couldn't fight it alone—not even with Adrian by my side.
Suddenly the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I stiffened, feeling an unfamiliar presence near. My eyes snapped toward the door, but before I could move, the sound of it opening echoed in the quiet room.
Another visitor.