Belinda sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. The dim glow of a single candle flickered against the stone walls of her cottage, casting restless shadows that danced across the wooden beams. No matter how much she tried to push away the events at the river, the silver-eyed stranger remained seared into her mind.
The whisper still echoed in her ears.
"Find me."
A shiver raced down her spine.
She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to forget, but deep down, she knew the truth—this was not the first time she had seen him. The memories were fragmented, like pieces of a dream that faded upon waking. There was something buried in her past, something she had long forgotten… or perhaps something that had been taken from her.
The thought unsettled her.
A sudden knock at the door made her jump. Her breath hitched as she turned toward it. Who would come at this hour? The village had been fast asleep when she returned.
She hesitated before rising to her feet, her fingers brushing against the cold iron latch.
"What if it's him?"
She shook the thought away. That was impossible. The man from the river wasn't real. He couldn't be.
Taking a steadying breath, she pulled the door open.
A hooded figure stood in the moonlight.
Belinda's heart lurched. The person was cloaked in deep navy fabric, the hood casting a shadow over their face. Only their hands were visible, one gloved, the
other bare, fingers curled slightly as if prepared for something unseen.
"Belinda Everhart?" The voice was low, almost careful, as though speaking her name was a delicate act.
She hesitated. "Who's asking?"
The figure took a step forward, the wooden planks creaking under their weight. The candlelight flickered violently, and for a brief moment, Belinda swore she saw something glint beneath the hood, something unnatural, something silver.
"Come with me," the stranger said, "if you wish to learn the truth."
The truth.
It settled in her chest like a cold weight.
She should slam the door, refuse to listen, go back to her quiet life and forget everything. But the whisper from the river haunted her. The silver eyes burned in her mind.
And the pull in her chest was stronger than ever.
Swallowing hard, Belinda met the stranger's hidden gaze and took a step forward.
Whatever lay ahead, she could no longer turn away.