The Awakening

The Monte Riego mansion lay still beneath the night's sky, but Seraphine's mind refused to rest. Moonlight filtered through her curtains, casting pale streaks across her room. She tossed and turned, the obsidian key warm against her skin, as if it pulsed with a life of its own.

Her eyes fluttered shut again, and the moment she drifted off, the dream came.

She stood barefoot in a forest bathed in silver moonlight, surrounded by ancient trees whose bark bore symbols she couldn't understand. The air buzzed with an energy that made her skin prickle. Shadows twisted between the trees, and whispered voices—low, indistinct—floated toward her.

Suddenly, the whispers grew louder, forming words:

"Seraphine Monte Riego… the time has come…"

Figures emerged from the shadows—ghostly apparitions of those who came before her. Their features were blurred, but their presence was unmistakable. They belonged to her family. Ancestors, guardians of the Monte Riego legacy, who had silently walked with her through the generations.

Among them, a woman with emerald-green eyes stepped forward. She looked strikingly familiar, her gaze sharp and warm at once.

"The elements are awakening within you," the woman whispered, her voice a breeze that curled around Seraphine's senses. "When the circle completes, you will understand your power."

Before Seraphine could ask what she meant, the forest twisted and blurred, pulling her deeper into the dream. She saw her family, encircled by enemies, the storm clouds above them boiling with fury. A pair of crimson eyes glared at her from the darkness, radiating hatred and malice. The storm raged on, her family trapped in the chaos.

She reached out to help—but the vision shattered. The whispers faded into silence, leaving only the echoes of the woman's final words: "Be ready."

Seraphine's eyes snapped open, her heart pounding. The early morning light filtered softly through her window, but she felt like she had been dragged from the depths of some ancient nightmare. She sat up, clutching the key around her neck. It was warm—too warm, as if it had absorbed the energy from her dream.

She slid out of bed and made her way to the vanity. When she caught her reflection, she froze. Her emerald eyes gleamed brighter than usual, almost glowing beneath the soft light. Her senses buzzed with something unfamiliar, as if every sound, every scent, had sharpened overnight.

Even the breeze from the open window seemed to dance around her, playful and responsive. She felt... different. Changed.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Leonara:

Leo: "Hey, you okay? Haven't heard from you since last night."

Seraphine stared at the screen for a moment before setting the phone down without replying. She wasn't ready to explain what she didn't understand herself.

With a sigh, she began getting ready for school, knowing that Kieran would be waiting for her—and he would demand answers.

When Seraphine arrived at the gates of the academy, Kieran was already there, leaning against the wrought-iron fence with his hands in his pockets. His dark eyes fixed on her the moment she stepped out of the car, and for a second, the world seemed to tilt slightly.

"You look different," he said as she approached, his voice low and steady.

Seraphine smirked, masking her unease. "That's what they all say."

Kieran's gaze didn't waver. "No... you feel different."

She faltered under his scrutiny. "I just... had a strange dream."

"Dreams like yours aren't just dreams," Kieran murmured, his expression guarded. 

His concern settled over her like a second skin. There was always something about the way Kieran spoke—as if he was carrying the weight of her safety on his shoulders.

During lunch, Seraphine found herself sitting under an old oak tree at the far edge of the school grounds. The usual buzz of student life felt distant, muffled by the storm of thoughts raging inside her.

Kieran found her there, settling beside her on the grass without a word. They sat in silence for a long moment, the quiet between them familiar, almost comforting.

"Have you ever felt like you were becoming someone you don't recognize?" Seraphine whispered, breaking the stillness.

Kieran's gaze softened. "Every day."

There was something unspoken between them—an understanding, raw and honest. When he reached out, brushing her hand lightly with his fingertips, the touch sent a spark through her skin, electric and grounding all at once.

Seraphine met his gaze, and for a brief moment, everything else fell away—the secrets, the threats, the weight of her awakening. There was only Kieran.

Later that afternoon, unable to ignore the strange sensations any longer, Seraphine sneaked away to a secluded part of the school grounds. The need to test the new energy stirring inside her burned in her chest.

She stood among the trees, closed her eyes, and focused on the strange hum in her veins. The wind stirred in response, curling around her like an invisible ribbon. With each breath she took, the wind twisted and grew, responding to her every thought.

A soft gust turned into a powerful breeze, swirling leaves at her feet. Seraphine gasped, overwhelmed and exhilarated by the sensation of control. She could feel the pulse of the earth beneath her, the hum of energy in the air. It was as if the elements had been waiting for her all along.

But just as quickly as the energy bloomed, it faltered. A shadow passed over her senses, sending a shiver down her spine. She opened her eyes, scanning the empty clearing, but found nothing.

Then, like a whisper carried on the wind, a voice echoed in her mind:

"You're not ready yet."

Her breath hitched. She knew that voice.

It was Lianne Thornstone.

Seraphine stood frozen in place, her heart racing. How did Lianne know? How long had the Thornstones been watching her?

She turned slowly, half-expecting to see Lianne lurking in the shadows, but there was only the rustling of leaves in the breeze. The wind, once playful, now felt cold against her skin—a silent warning.

With trembling hands, she clutched the key at her neck. Whatever was awakening inside her, the Thornstones already knew. And the clock was ticking.

The chapter ends with Seraphine realizing that she is no longer just the heir to her family's legacy—she is a target, and the forces watching her are already in motion.