Chapter 17

The figure didn’t move, its dark cloak billowing despite the stillness of the air. Beneath the hood, she caught a faint glow—golden eyes that seemed to pierce through her.

“Who…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

The figure raised a hand, its long fingers pointing directly at her. A voice—low, ancient, and full of menace—echoed in her mind.

“You cannot hide from what you are, child.”

And then, as suddenly as it appeared, the figure vanished, leaving only the chilling memory of its presence behind.

“Tia!” Luca’s voice snapped her back. I am almost there. Hold on!

Her hands trembled as she gripped the wheel, her breathing ragged. “It is fine. I am fine,” she said.

“But something is here, Luca. Something… that shouldn’t be.”

Luca burst through the trees right in front of Tia’s car. Seeing that she was okay, he shifted back. He came over and opened the car door.

“What happened?”