Allen flopped onto the grass beside Selene and Naksu, his camera dangling from his neck as he stretched his arms behind his head with a dramatic sigh. The afternoon sun painted golden patterns through the leaves above them, and the air was rich with the scent of autumn. "So, Selene, have you figured out what you're wearing to the big event yet?"
Selene raised an eyebrow, absently trailing her fingers through the cool grass. "You mean my birthday?"
"No, I mean the royal gala where you'll be crowned Queen of Blackwood Estate," Allen teased, wiggling his eyebrows. His dark curls caught the sunlight, making him look more mischievous than usual. "Of course, your birthday. And more importantly, have you picked out something that'll make Cane's jaw drop?"
Heat rushed to Selene's face. "It's just a party, Allen. Not a fashion show." She plucked a blade of grass, twirling it between her fingers to avoid meeting his knowing gaze.
Naksu smirked, adjusting her position to face them both. "Oh, come on. You want to look nice, don't you? I bet Cane will be paying extra attention." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Especially after that little moment you two had by the gate yesterday."
"What moment?" Allen sat up straight, suddenly alert. "You didn't tell me about any moment!"
Selene groaned. "You two are impossible. I don't even know if he'll come." She glanced toward the Alaric house, its Victorian architecture casting long shadows across the lawn. "Besides, there are more important things to worry about."
Allen gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Are you kidding? The mysterious new guy in town turning down an invitation from the most beautiful girl in Blackwood? Highly unlikely. And what could be more important than your birthday outfit?"
Selene shoved his shoulder, but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Stop exaggerating. And stop making this about Cane."
"I'm just saying," Allen chuckled, readjusting his camera. "If you show up in some boring outfit, I'll personally set fire to it and make you wear something better. I've got my camera ready to document every moment of this epic party."
Naksu grinned, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "Agreed. We'll make sure you look stunning. Maybe that emerald dress we found at the vintage shop last month?"
Selene sighed, but before she could argue, her attention drifted toward the Alaric house. Cane stood outside, talking to his mother, Elisa. The usual easy confidence in his stance was gone, replaced by something more rigid, more controlled. Unlike Cane's casual demeanor, Elisa radiated an aura of authority that made Selene's skin prickle. Her sharp gaze kept flickering toward the forest every few moments, as if expecting something—or someone—to emerge from the shadows.
Selene frowned, leaning forward slightly. "Do you guys notice anything... odd about his mom?"
Allen followed her gaze and smirked, his camera clicking softly as he captured the scene. "Oh, we're back to watching Cane again, huh? Should I leave you two alone? Maybe set up a romantic photoshoot?"
Selene swatted his arm, her eyes never leaving the tense scene before them. "I'm serious. Look at her. She keeps looking at the woods like she's expecting something to jump out. And those symbols on their boxes yesterday—didn't they seem strange to you?"
Naksu squinted, her playful demeanor fading slightly. "Now that you mention it, she does seem tense. And did you notice how they only move their mirrors at specific times of day? Maybe they're just... particular about feng shui?"
"Or maybe," Allen said, lowering his voice dramatically and lifting his camera, "they're hiding a dark, family secret. Dun dun duuun. This could be my next big photo story—'The Mysterious Alarics: What Lurks Behind Those Victorian Walls?'"
Selene rolled her eyes, but a shiver ran down her spine. "I'm serious, Allen. Something feels off."
Before she could elaborate, the conversation between Cane and Elisa ended abruptly. Elisa turned and walked back inside, her movements sharp and precise, but Cane—Cane turned and his gaze locked directly onto Selene. Even from this distance, she could feel the intensity of his stare.
"Oh, great," Selene muttered, quickly looking away. "Now he definitely thinks I was spying."
"Well, you kind of were," Naksu pointed out, adjusting her bracelets. "But look on the bright side—he's coming over."
Sure enough, Cane made his way across the lawn, hands tucked casually in his pockets, an amused smirk playing on his lips. His dark hair caught the afternoon light, and something about his movement reminded Selene of a predator—graceful, controlled, deliberately casual.
"Enjoying the view?" he asked as he reached them, his voice carrying that hint of honey and danger that always made Selene's pulse quicken.
Selene shifted awkwardly, hyper-aware of Allen's camera clicking away. "I—uh—I was just—"
"Taking a walk?" Cane finished for her, his smirk deepening. "Sure you were." His eyes flickered to the camera in Allen's hands. "Quite the photographer, aren't you?"
Allen chuckled, lowering his camera. "You should feel honored, Cane. Not everyone gets Selene's undivided attention. She's usually too busy reading those old folklore books of hers or practicing her—"
"Allen!" Selene cut him off, shooting him a warning look. The last thing she needed was him mentioning her strange abilities with metal.
Cane let out a low chuckle before glancing back toward his house. "You live here long enough, you start noticing things."
Selene frowned, something in his tone catching her attention. "Noticing things? Like what?"
Cane hesitated for the briefest moment, his eyes darkening. "Little things. The way shadows move differently here. The strange sounds at night. The way metal sometimes... behaves oddly." His gaze met Selene's, and she could have sworn she saw a flicker of gold in his eyes.
"Like people going missing?" Naksu blurted, earning another warning look from Selene.
But Cane didn't seem fazed. If anything, he seemed amused. "You've heard about that too, huh?"
The playful atmosphere evaporated, replaced by something heavier. Selene crossed her arms, studying him carefully. "It's hard not to. Two people in the last month, both vanishing without a trace. And now your mother looks like she's expecting something to come out of the woods. Don't you think that's strange?"
Cane's smirk faded slightly, replaced by something more guarded. "Strange? Maybe. But this town has its secrets. Some of them are better left buried."
"Do you know something about it?" Selene pressed, ignoring the way Allen and Naksu exchanged concerned glances.
Cane studied her for a long moment before shaking his head. "Not really. But if I were you, I wouldn't go digging too deep. Some things are better left alone." The warning in his voice was unmistakable.
"Is that a threat?" Naksu asked, narrowing her eyes as she shifted closer to Selene.
Cane chuckled, but there was no warmth in it. "Not at all. Just... advice. From someone who's seen what happens when people ask too many questions." He turned to leave, then paused. "Oh, and Selene? About your birthday—I'll be there."
He walked away, leaving them sitting in uneasy silence. Allen exhaled loudly, checking his camera screen. "Well. That wasn't ominous at all."
"Yeah, super normal," Naksu added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You should definitely spend more time with him, Selene. Nothing says 'great friend material' like vague warnings about missing people."
But Selene barely heard them. She was too busy watching Cane's retreating form, her mind racing. The way he'd mentioned metal behaving oddly—had he noticed her abilities? And what did he mean about the town's secrets?
She touched the silver bracelet at her wrist, remembering how he'd flinched away from it yesterday. Something wasn't right with his family. And despite his warning—or perhaps because of it—she had a feeling she was about to find out exactly what it was.