Elara looked at her, bewildered. "Why? What aren't you telling me?"
Before Liora could answer, a loud crash echoed through the estate, followed by a blood-curdling scream. Elara's body froze, but her heart thundered in her chest.
Sebastian turned to her, his voice urgent. "Stay here. Don't move."
Elara grabbed his arm, her fear outweighing her uncertainty. "What's happening?"
He looked at her, his golden eyes fierce yet protective. "The past. It's waking up."
And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving Elara with Liora, whose cryptic expression only deepened her unease.
Elara's grip on the door tightened as she whispered to herself, "What am I a part of?"
Elara's "What am I a part of?"Elara's knees buckled as the scream echoed through the halls. She gripped the doorframe, her breath shallow and her pulse racing. Beside her, Liora remained eerily calm, watching the shadows dance along the walls.
"You feel it, don't you?" Liora asked, her voice low, almost taunting.
Elara turned toward her, the fear in her eyes replaced by defiance. "Feel what? You keep talking in riddles."
Liora's lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes held a seriousness that rooted Elara to the spot. "The pull. The thread that ties you to this place, to its chaos. It's waking up because you're here."
Before Elara could respond, another crash echoed from the west wing, louder this time, followed by the unmistakable sound of shattering glass. She flinched, instinctively stepping back.
Liora turned toward the sound, her expression unreadable. "If you want answers, you'll have to face it."
Elara's voice trembled as she asked, "Face what?"
"The truth," Liora said simply before striding away, her figure disappearing into the shadows.
Elara hesitated, her instincts screaming at her to stay put. But the flickering flame of curiosity burned brighter than her fear. Against her better judgment, she followed the direction of the noise, her footsteps light on the marble floor.
As she approached the west wing, the air grew colder. Her breath fogged in front of her, and a faint hum vibrated through the walls. She pressed forward, her hands brushing against the cold stone for support.
When she reached the source of the sound, she froze.
The once pristine corridor was in ruins. Shards of glass littered the floor, reflecting the pale moonlight that seeped through the shattered windows. At the far end of the hall, a figure stood silhouetted against the broken window, their back turned to her.
"Sebastian?" she called out, her voice wavering.
The figure turned, but it wasn't Sebastian. It was someone else—someone unfamiliar yet strangely familiar. A man with dark, piercing eyes and an aura that made the air around him feel heavier.
"Who are you?" Elara demanded, summoning every ounce of courage she had.
The man tilted his head, studying her with a predatory gaze. "You don't know me yet, but you will."
His words sent a chill down her spine. "What do you mean?"
Before he could answer, Sebastian emerged from the shadows, his golden eyes blazing. "Get away from her."
The man smirked but didn't move. "Protective as always, I see. But you can't shield her forever."
Sebastian stepped between Elara and the stranger, his stance tense and ready to strike. "Leave. Now."
The man chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "You think you're protecting her, but you're only delaying the inevitable." With that, he turned and walked into the darkness, disappearing as if he were never there.
Elara's legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, her breath coming in rapid gasps. Sebastian crouched beside her, his hands on her shoulders.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice softer than she expected.
She shook her head, but her hands trembled as she clung to his sleeves. "Who was that? What does he want with me?"
Sebastian hesitated before answering. "Someone who shouldn't be here. Someone tied to the chaos you're awakening."
His words did little to comfort her. She stared at the shards of glass around them, her reflection fractured and distorted.
"I don't understand any of this," she whispered.
Sebastian helped her to her feet, his grip firm but gentle. "You will. But not tonight."
Elara wanted to protest, to demand answers, but another sound interrupted them—a soft whisper that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Elara…"
She whipped her head around, searching for the source. "There it is again! You heard it this time, didn't you?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "We need to leave. Now."
He guided her down the hall, his pace brisk and his eyes scanning their surroundings. The oppressive weight in the air grew heavier with each step, and Elara couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.
When they reached the main hall, Liora was waiting for them, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Sebastian ignored her, focusing on Elara instead. "You need to stay away from the west wing."
Elara bristled at his tone. "You can't keep me in the dark forever."
Sebastian's gaze softened for a moment before hardening again. "This isn't about control. It's about keeping you alive."
Liora stepped forward, her eyes narrowing. "She deserves to know the truth, Sebastian. Hiding it won't protect her."
Elara's patience snapped. "Then tell me! What's going on? Why am I here? Who was that man?"
The silence that followed was deafening. Sebastian and Liora exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them.
Finally, Liora spoke. "You're tied to this place, Elara. To its history, its power, and its dangers. That man you saw—he's a harbinger of what's to come. And if you're not careful, he'll tear you apart."
Elara's stomach twisted at the words. "What do you mean? Why me?"
Liora hesitated before answering. "Because you're the key to everything."