Chapter 19

The lair's dim corridors were quiet, the flickering torchlight casting long, shifting shadows as Elena and Stacy walked toward Liam's chamber.

Elena's jaw clenched as she thought of Liam, locked away like a criminal. "We shouldn't even be doing this," she muttered.

"We don't have a choice," Stacy replied. "You're right, he needs to know about the pack. But that doesn't mean Dexter's wrong about the danger he poses."

"He's not dangerous," Elena shot back, her voice rising slightly. "He's just like the rest of us."

Before Stacy could respond, they rounded a corned and froze.

Two figures emerged from the shadows ahead, their presence both imposing and surreal.

Elena's instincts flared. Her hand darted to her dagger.

Stacy mirrored the motion, stepping slightly in front of Elena. "Step aside," she demanded, her voice sharp.

The taller figure gently raised his hands, his crimson eyes settling on Elena. "No need for weapons," he said, his tone smooth and measured. "We're not here to fight."

"And why should we believe that?" Stacy shot back.

The man smiled faintly. "Because if we wanted to harm you, we wouldn't have announced ourselves."

"Who are you?" Elena repeated, her voice firm but edged with unease.

The man inclined his head slightly. "My name is Trevor." He gestured to his companion. "And this is Ragnar."

Elena's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't answer my question."

"It's complicated," Trevor admitted. "But the simplest way to put it is… I'm your brother."

Elena's heart skipped a beat. "What?"

Trevor's smile softened. "Your elder brother, to be precise. Though Dexter has likely kept my existence from you."

Elena's grip on her dagger tightened. "You're lying. Dexter would have told me if we had another brother."

"Would he?" Trevor asked, his tone almost pitying. "Or would he bury the truth to protect you?"

Stacy glanced at Elena, confusion etched across her face. "Elly, is this guy serious?"

"I don't know," Elena muttered, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and anger. She turned her attention back to Trevor. "Prove it."

Trevor sighed, his crimson eyes locking onto hers. "The night our parents were murdered, Dexter found you hiding in the library. You were clutching Father's journal so tightly he had to pry it from your hands. You refused to speak weeks after that."

Elena froze. The memory hit her like a punch to the gut. "How… how do you know that?"

"Because I was there," Trevor said simply.

Before Elena could process his words, Ragnar stepped forward. His sheer presence made Stacy flinch, her dagger raising slightly.

"And you?" Stacy demanded. "What's your story?"

"I'm Ragnar," the man said, his voice gravelly but calm. He turned to Elena, his golden eyes staring deep at her and she recognized those eyes. "I'm Liam's father."

The corridor fell silent, the weight of his revelation sinking in.

Elena's eyes widened. "Liam's father? Why are you here?"

"Because what's coming will destroy us all," Ragnar said, his tone heavy with meaning. "You and Liam are at the center of this fight. Whether you like it or not, you'll need guidance to survive what's ahead."

Trevor nodded in agreement. "The prophecy of the Three Dark Hunters isn't just a story, Elena. It's real. You and Liam are part of it."

"Yeah, tell me something I don't know"

Trevor smirked. "And if you don't prepare yourselves, Behemoth will rise and the world will fall."

Elena heaved a heavy sigh, keeping her dagger in its sheath. "And what? You're here to train us? To fix everything?"

"Not fix," Trevor said, his tone firm. "Prepare. The road ahead is brutal, and it won't spare anyone. Least of all you."

Stacy narrowed her eyes. "Why now? Why show up out of nowhere?"

Ragnar's golden eyes met Stacy's "Because time is running out. The Exiled Legions are already making their move, and if we don't act now, we'll lose the chance to stop them."

Elena hesitated, her gaze flicking between the two men. She wanted to scream, to demand answers from Dexter, to push these strangers away and pretend none of this was happening.

"What do you want from me?" she asked quietly.

Trevor's expression softened. "We want you to be ready. Let us train you and Liam. Let us help you understand the power you both hold. Without, it you won't survive."

Elena turned to Stacy, searching for reassurance, but her friend's expression was unreadable.

Before Elena could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.

"TREVOR!!!!!!!!!!!"

They turned to see Dexter striding down the corridor, his expression full of fury.

"You shouldn't be here." he growled.

Trevor smirked. "Nice to see you too, little brother."

Dexter's eyes shifted to Ragnar, his fists clenching. "And you. I thought I made it clear you weren't welcome."

"You don't have the luxury of turning us away," Ragnar said coldly. "Not anymore."

Dexter's gaze snapped to Elena, his expression softening slightly. "Elena, leave here. Now."

"No," Elena said firmly. "I want answers. And I want them now."

Dexter's jaw tightened, his eyes flicking between Trevor and Ragnar. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

"You want the truth?" he said quietly. "Fine. But you're not going to like it."