Dorian told me he had a lead. I wasn't convinced, but I followed. We needed answers. So, we moved.
The night was cold. Empty streets. I stuck close to Dorian, but something felt off. I couldn't shake the feeling.
We reached an old building. It looked abandoned, but there was something in the air that made me uneasy.
"This is it," Dorian said, eyes scanning the area.
I didn't respond. We went inside. The building was dark, quiet. My footsteps echoed, but Dorian moved like he'd been here before.
We went down a hallway. The place smelled old, musty. My instincts told me to turn around, but I couldn't. We needed answers.
At the end of the hall, Dorian stopped in front of a door. He turned to me. "Stay close."
I nodded, but my gut was telling me something wasn't right. He opened the door and stepped inside. I followed, every muscle in my body tense.
The room was dimly lit. A figure stood at the far side. Elias.
I froze.
Dorian wasn't surprised. He stepped forward. "Didn't expect you to be here."
Elias looked at him with a cold smile. "You never do."
I glanced at Dorian. "What's going on?"
He stayed quiet.
Elias stepped forward, eyes on me. "You've been played, Evelyn. Dorian's been lying to you."
My heart sank. I looked at Dorian, waiting for an explanation. He didn't give one.
Elias walked closer. "You're just a tool to him. He never cared about you."
The words hit hard. I took a step back, trying to process it. If Dorian had been lying to me, why had he brought me here? What was the game?
"Tell me it's not true," I said, but Dorian stayed silent.
Elias smirked. "You're smarter than this. You had to know something was off."
I clenched my fists, anger replacing the hurt. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Still no response from Dorian. My eyes went to him, waiting for something. But nothing. Just silence.
Elias took another step toward me. "He's been using you from the start. You're a pawn. Always have been."
I wasn't going to break down. Not in front of them. Not now. But I wasn't blind anymore.
"I trusted you," I said to Dorian.
Still nothing.
Elias stood between us. "It's too late now. The deal's already been made."
I felt the tension build. I didn't know who to trust. Everything I thought I knew was falling apart. And Dorian? He was standing there, not saying a word. His silence said everything.
"Get out of my way," I said to Elias, stepping forward.
He just smirked. "You don't have the power to make me."
I raised my hand, ready to use whatever magic I had left. Dorian finally moved, his hand on my wrist, holding me back.
"Don't do this," he said quietly.
I jerked my arm away from him. "Why? You're the one who's been lying!"
He didn't move.
Elias looked at us both. "The prophecy has already started. You can't stop it now."
I took a step back. The words hit harder than I expected. This wasn't just about me anymore. This was bigger.
"I'm done," I said, turning to leave.
Dorian grabbed my arm again. "Evelyn—"
I pulled away. "Don't. Just don't."
I walked out, my heart racing, and Dorian stayed behind with Elias. The betrayal felt heavy, like a weight that wouldn't go away.