The dim light of the moon filtered through the dense canopy of the forest, casting a soft glow over the secluded manor where Sera was now confined. The air seemed heavier here, thick with secrets and unspoken truths. Aidan's reluctance to let her stay was palpable, but his reasons for keeping her in this strange place remained an enigma. Sera couldn't shake the feeling that the whispers of the forest and the strange aura of the manor were somehow tied to her presence.
As the hours dragged on, her restlessness grew. Sera wandered through the manor's long hallways, her fingers brushing against the cold, stone walls. The place felt ancient, yet alive—almost as if it had been expecting her arrival. Despite the cozy room Aidan had assigned her, she couldn't stay confined any longer. Every creak of the wooden floor beneath her feet sent her heart racing, but curiosity spurred her forward.
A faint murmur of voices stopped her in her tracks. The sound came from a partially open door at the end of the corridor. Sera hesitated, her pulse quickening. Common sense told her to turn back, but her desire for answers was far stronger.
She edged closer, her breath catching in her throat as she peeked through the narrow gap in the door. Inside, Aidan stood face-to-face with a man she hadn't seen before. He had sharp features and an aura of intensity that made her uneasy. His eyes glowed faintly red in the dim light, and his tone was harsh.
"A human? Are you out of your mind, Aidan?" the man growled. "You've endangered us all by bringing her here."
"She saw too much," Aidan replied, his voice low but steady. "The only way to protect our kind is to keep her under our watch."
Sera's heart thundered in her chest. She pressed herself tighter against the wall, straining to hear every word.
"And what if she's the one?" the stranger continued, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "The prophecy is clear. Her presence could mean salvation—or destruction. Are you willing to gamble with that?"
"I don't put faith in old myths," Aidan said sharply. "She's a complication, nothing more."
The stranger's expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. "You always think you can outrun destiny, but this time, you may have invited it straight into our home."
Aidan's gaze shifted momentarily toward the door, and for a terrifying moment, Sera thought he had caught her spying. But he said nothing, and the conversation continued.
"She's not staying here forever," Aidan said, his tone hardening. "Once it's safe, she'll be gone, and no one will ever know."
The other man's laugh was bitter. "Safe? You think the Council will let this slide? You've made a dangerous mistake, Aidan. And I won't be the one cleaning up your mess when it falls apart."
Sera couldn't listen any longer. Her head swam with questions, her stomach churning as she backed away from the door. She didn't understand much of what she had overheard, but one thing was clear—she was in deeper trouble than she'd realized.
By the time she made it back to her room, her legs felt like jelly. She sank onto the bed, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. What was this prophecy they had mentioned? And why did it seem like her presence here had shaken them so deeply?
A knock at the door startled her. Sera froze, her heart pounding.
"Come in," she said hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The door opened, and Aidan stepped inside. His piercing gaze met hers, and for a moment, she forgot how to breathe.
"You're supposed to be resting," he said, his tone calm but firm.
Sera stood, clutching the edge of the bed for support. "Resting?" she echoed. "How am I supposed to rest when I don't even know what's happening to me?"
Aidan sighed, closing the door behind him. "You've stumbled into a world that isn't meant for you," he said. "The less you know, the safer you'll be."
"Don't give me that," she snapped, surprising even herself with her boldness. "I heard you talking earlier. About a prophecy. About me. What does it mean?"
His expression darkened. "You were eavesdropping?"
"I wouldn't have to if you'd just tell me the truth," Sera shot back.
Aidan rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated. "This isn't something you can understand overnight," he said. "There are... stories. Old ones, passed down through generations. They speak of a human whose arrival would change everything—either uniting our worlds or destroying them."
Sera stared at him, her mind reeling. "And you think that's me?"
"I don't know," he admitted, his voice softer now. "But your presence here is dangerous—for you and for us."
Before Sera could respond, the door burst open. The man from earlier stormed in, his red eyes blazing with anger.
"She doesn't belong here, Aidan," he growled. "The Council will never allow it."
"I'll handle the Council," Aidan replied, his voice like steel.
The stranger laughed bitterly. "You can't protect her forever. And when they find out—"
"They won't," Aidan interrupted, his tone final.
The stranger's gaze flickered to Sera, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. "Mark my words," he said darkly. "This will end badly."
He left without another word, slamming the door behind him.
Sera turned to Aidan, her hands trembling. "What is the Council? And why do I feel like I'm in the middle of something I can't escape?"
Aidan's expression softened, and for the first time, she thought she saw a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "I'm trying to protect you," he said quietly.
"Protect me? Or protect yourself?" she challenged.
Aidan didn't answer right away. Instead, he moved to the window, staring out into the dark forest. "Get some rest," he said finally, his voice barely audible. "Things will make more sense in the morning."
Sera wanted to argue, but the weight of everything she had learned was too much. She watched him leave, the door clicking shut behind him. Alone in the quiet room, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life had just been tied to something far greater—and far more dangerous—than she could have ever imagined.