Chapter 31: Shadows of the Past

Shadows of the Past

Aria's hands trembled as she stood frozen in place. The words echoed in her mind, twisting like a knife in her chest.

"He says… he knows where your sister is."

No. It wasn't possible.

She didn't have a sister.

At least, that was what she had been told.

A sharp chill crawled down her spine. A part of her wanted to dismiss it as another one of Kael's twisted games, another cruel trick meant to manipulate her. But deep down, in a place she rarely dared to acknowledge, something inside her whispered—What if he's telling the truth?

A hand settled on her arm.

"Aria."

She looked up into Alexander's golden eyes. The fire in them had dimmed, replaced by something softer—concern, hesitation. His grip was firm, grounding, keeping her from spiraling into the storm of emotions crashing inside her.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak. "I need to see him."