The hours that followed were a blur of confusion and unease for Sera. She spent most of her time in the vast library, poring over books she could barely understand. Every page seemed to hold fragments of a story she didn't belong to but couldn't escape. The prophecy, the resemblance to Althea, and Aidan's guarded demeanor all swirled in her mind like a storm she couldn't outrun.
Despite her frustration, she couldn't deny the pull of this world. There was a strange beauty in the ancient texts, the flicker of glowing artifacts, and even the haunting stillness of the manor itself. It was as if the place was alive, watching her every move, whispering secrets she couldn't quite hear.
Aidan had left her alone after their tense discussion in the library, retreating into whatever duties required his attention. Damian, on the other hand, had made no effort to hide his disdain. She could feel his eyes on her whenever they crossed paths, his presence a constant reminder that she was unwelcome.
Sera sighed, running her fingers over the cracked leather of an old book. The faded gold lettering on the spine read Chronicles of the Bloodline. Her fingers hesitated before flipping it open. Inside, the text was written in a language she didn't recognize, but the illustrations were hauntingly vivid—scenes of battles, alliances, and sacrifices.
"Why does it feel like I've seen this before?" she whispered to herself.
"Because history repeats itself," a voice answered, startling her.
She turned sharply to see an elderly woman standing in the doorway, her silver hair cascading down her shoulders like a shimmering waterfall. Her eyes were piercing, as though they could see straight into Sera's soul.
"Who are you?" Sera asked cautiously, closing the book.
The woman stepped forward, her movements slow but deliberate. "My name is Eira. I'm the keeper of this place—or what's left of it."
"The keeper?" Sera frowned, glancing around the library.
Eira nodded, her gaze drifting to the shelves around them. "I've spent centuries preserving the history of our people. These books, these artifacts—they hold the truth of who we are, and the warnings of what may come."
"Warnings?" Sera echoed, her heart quickening.
Eira's lips curved into a faint smile. "You have questions, child. And while I may not have all the answers, I can tell you this—your arrival here was no accident."
Sera's grip on the book tightened. "Everyone keeps saying that, but no one will tell me why. Why me? Why now?"
Eira's expression softened. "Because you are part of a story that began long before you were born. A story that could end in salvation—or ruin."
The weight of her words settled over Sera like a heavy cloak. She wanted to argue, to demand more answers, but something in Eira's eyes stopped her. It was as if the woman knew more than she was letting on but wasn't ready to share it all.
Before Sera could press further, the sound of raised voices echoed through the hall. Eira's expression darkened, and she gestured for Sera to follow her.
They stepped out into the corridor, where Aidan and Damian were locked in a heated argument.
"You're putting all of us at risk!" Damian hissed, his voice low but sharp.
"And you're letting your fear cloud your judgment," Aidan shot back.
"Fear? You think I'm afraid of her?" Damian sneered, his eyes flicking to Sera as she and Eira approached. "She's nothing but a liability, Aidan. The longer she stays here, the more danger we're in."
"That's enough," Eira interjected, her voice calm but commanding.
Both men turned to her, their expressions tense.
"Damian, your hostility is not helping," Eira said firmly. "And Aidan, you must tread carefully. The path you're on is fraught with peril, and every decision you make will shape what's to come."
Sera stepped forward, her frustration bubbling over. "Why does everyone keep talking about me like I'm some kind of ticking time bomb? If I'm such a threat, then just tell me the truth! I'm sick of being kept in the dark!"
The silence that followed was deafening. Aidan's gaze softened, but it was Damian who broke the tension.
"You want the truth?" he said, his voice cold. "Fine. You're here because of what you are. Because your blood could tip the balance between our survival and annihilation. Because every prophecy, every warning, points to you."
Sera's breath hitched. "What… what do you mean, 'what I am'?"
Aidan stepped closer, his expression pained. "We don't know yet," he admitted. "But there's something in your blood—something powerful. It's why the hunters were after you, why you were drawn here. And it's why we have to protect you."
The room seemed to spin around her. Sera stumbled back, her mind racing. She felt Eira's steadying hand on her shoulder, but it did little to calm her.
"This doesn't make any sense," she whispered. "I'm just… I'm just me. I'm not special. I'm not…"
"You're more than you realize," Eira said gently. "And in time, you'll come to understand your role in all of this."
Damian snorted. "If she lives long enough," he muttered.
Aidan shot him a warning glare. "She will," he said firmly.
The conviction in his voice sent a strange warmth through Sera's chest, but it did little to dispel her fear. She felt like a pawn in a game she didn't understand, surrounded by people who seemed to know more about her than she did herself.
Eira squeezed her shoulder, her gaze kind. "You have a choice to make, child. You can run from this, or you can face it. But whatever you choose, know that you are not alone."
Sera swallowed hard, her mind racing. She didn't feel brave or strong or capable of whatever it was they expected from her. But as she looked around the room—at Aidan's determined expression, Damian's simmering anger, and Eira's quiet wisdom—she realized she couldn't walk away.
"I don't know what's happening," she said finally, her voice trembling. "But I want to know. I want to understand."
Aidan nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Then we'll figure it out together," he said.
Sera didn't know if she believed him, but for now, it was enough.