Elena's POV
The forest felt darker than ever as Elena followed Caleb, his hand gripping hers tightly as they weaved through the dense trees. The air was sharp and cold, biting at her skin, but she didn't dare complain. Her mind was a whirlpool of questions, none of which seemed to have immediate answers.
Victor's cryptic words echoed in her mind. You'll have to choose a side. What did he mean? And more importantly, why did she feel like every word he said had been true, despite her instinct to trust Caleb?
"Caleb," she said, breaking the silence. Her voice was quiet, but it was enough to make him pause and glance back at her.
"What is it?" he asked, his golden eyes scanning her face for any sign of distress.
She hesitated, trying to gather her thoughts. "Why does Ivanna want me? I need the truth this time. No half-answers. No cryptic warnings. If I'm in danger, I have a right to know why."
Caleb's jaw tightened, and she could see the conflict in his expression. For a moment, she thought he might brush her off again, but then he let out a slow breath and nodded.
"You're right," he said. "You deserve to know the truth. But not here. We need to get somewhere safe first."
"Safe from what?" Elena pressed. "Victor? Ivanna? Or is there something else I don't know about yet?"
Caleb didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked past her, scanning the forest as though expecting something—or someone—to appear. His silence was answer enough.
"I promise," he said finally, his voice softer now. "I'll tell you everything. Just… trust me a little longer, okay?"
Elena frowned but nodded. What choice did she have?
---
They reached the edge of the forest a short while later, stepping out onto a narrow dirt road that wound through the hills. Caleb led her to an old, weathered cabin tucked away beneath a canopy of pine trees. It looked abandoned, the wood warped and the windows clouded with dust, but Caleb approached it with purpose.
"What is this place?" Elena asked as he pushed the door open.
"A safe house," he said simply. "It's warded against ferals and anyone loyal to Ivanna. We'll be safe here for now."
The interior of the cabin was sparse but functional. A single room with a small fireplace, a battered sofa, and a wooden table with two mismatched chairs. It wasn't much, but it felt secure, and that was enough for now.
Caleb motioned for her to sit while he lit a fire in the hearth. The warmth was immediate, chasing away the chill that had settled into her bones.
"Talk," Elena said, crossing her arms as she watched him. "No more stalling."
Caleb stood and turned to face her, his expression serious. "Everything Victor told you—it's true, at least partially. Ivanna wants you because you're connected to something powerful. Something that could tip the balance of power in her favor if she gets her hands on it."
"And what is this… power?" Elena asked, her voice trembling.
Caleb hesitated. "It's hard to explain. But it's tied to your bloodline. Your family wasn't just any ordinary family, Elena. You're descended from the original guardians of Blackwood Hollow—the ones who were tasked with keeping the supernatural forces in balance."
Elena blinked, stunned. "Guardians? What does that even mean? I've never heard anything about this before."
"You wouldn't have," Caleb said. "The guardians went into hiding centuries ago, blending in with human society to avoid being hunted. But their bloodline carried on, and you… you're one of the last."
Elena felt like the ground had been pulled out from under her. "This is insane," she said, shaking her head. "I'm not some magical guardian. I'm just a regular woman who happened to stumble into this nightmare."
"You're more than that," Caleb said, his voice firm. "And Ivanna knows it. She's been searching for someone like you for years—someone who could unlock the full potential of the forest's magic. That's why she's after you."
Elena's mind raced. It was too much to take in, too much to believe. But at the same time, she couldn't deny the strange connection she felt to the forest, the way it seemed to call to her in ways she couldn't explain.
"If what you're saying is true," she said slowly, "then why didn't you tell me any of this sooner? Why keep me in the dark?"
Caleb's expression darkened. "Because I was trying to protect you. The more you know, the more danger you're in. And I didn't want to risk losing you."
"Losing me?" Elena repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Caleb stepped closer, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "I've been trying to keep you safe from the moment I found you, Elena. Because whether you believe it or not, you mean more to me than just some prophecy or bloodline."
Elena felt her heart skip a beat. There was something in his voice, something raw and genuine, that made her believe him. But before she could say anything, a loud crash outside shattered the moment.
---
Victor's POV
Victor stood at the edge of the clearing, his sharp eyes fixed on the cabin. He could see the faint glow of firelight through the windows, and he knew exactly who was inside.
"Found you," he murmured, a sly grin spreading across his face.
He had followed Caleb and Elena here, keeping to the shadows as they made their way through the forest. It had been easy—Caleb was so focused on protecting Elena that he hadn't even noticed the extra set of eyes watching their every move.
Victor's grin widened as he stepped closer, his boots crunching softly against the dirt. He knew he wasn't supposed to interfere just yet—Ivanna had made that clear—but he couldn't resist stirring the pot.
He stopped just outside the cabin, his sharp hearing picking up the faint murmur of voices inside. Caleb was talking, his tone low and urgent, and Victor could imagine the look on his face.
"Pathetic," he muttered under his breath.
Victor had always thought Caleb was weak. Too soft, too sentimental. And now, watching him fawn over Elena, it only confirmed what Victor had suspected all along: Caleb would never have the strength to do what needed to be done.
But Victor wasn't here to judge. He was here to deliver a message.
He raised his hand and slammed it against the cabin door, the loud crash reverberating through the forest. Inside, he heard the startled gasps of Caleb and Elena, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Knock, knock," he called out, his voice dripping with mockery.
---
Elena's POV
Elena's heart leapt into her throat as the sound of the crash echoed through the cabin. She turned to Caleb, her eyes wide with fear.
"Stay behind me," Caleb said, his voice low and deadly.
Before she could respond, he moved to the door, his body tense and ready for a fight. He opened it slowly, revealing Victor standing just outside, his smirk as infuriating as ever.
"Victor," Caleb growled, his tone a warning.
"Relax," Victor said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm just here to talk."
"You've done enough talking," Caleb snapped. "Leave, now."
Victor's smirk widened. "Oh, come on, Caleb. Don't be like that. I just wanted to say hi to our lovely guest."
Caleb stepped forward, his body blocking Elena from view. "You're not welcome here, Victor."
Victor's gaze shifted, and for a brief moment, his eyes met Elena's. The look he gave her sent a chill down her spine—a mix of amusement and something far darker.
"I'll leave," Victor said finally, his tone casual. "But tell Elena to think about what I said. The choice is hers, after all."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
---