Chapter 11 Secrets in The Shadows

The room was silent, save for the soft breathing of the sleeping child in Rene's arms. But the air was thick with something unseen—a lingering presence, like the echoes of a whisper just out of reach.

Adrian and Adriel stood on either side of Rene, their small hands clenched into fists. The ice they had conjured was already fading, but the chill in the air remained.

Nyra was the first to break the silence. "We need to move."

Rene's grip on Rena tightened. "Move where?"

Nyra's silver eyes flickered toward the doorway, scanning the shadows as if expecting something—or someone—to emerge. "Somewhere safer. Whatever that was, it found us too easily."

Adriel's voice was soft but firm. "It wasn't trying to hurt her."

Rene turned to him sharply. "You know that?"

Adriel hesitated, then nodded. "I felt it."

Adrian folded his arms. "It was watching. Studying. But it wasn't hostile."

Rene's mind raced. Something had reached into their space—had spoken in that eerie, otherworldly whisper—but had not attacked.

Why?

Nyra sighed. "It doesn't matter what it wanted. It's a threat until we know more."

Rene nodded. "Then let's figure it out."

She wasn't going to let something unknown hover over them like a phantom. Not when it involved Rena.

Adrian and Adriel exchanged a glance before Adrian spoke. "There's someone who might have answers."

Nyra's expression darkened immediately. "No."

Adriel tilted his head. "Why not?"

Nyra's lips pressed into a thin line. "Because he's unpredictable."

Rene frowned. "Who?"

Nyra didn't answer right away. Instead, she turned on her heel, motioning for them to follow. "Come with me. I'll explain on the way."

Rene adjusted Rena in her arms and followed, her brothers keeping close to her sides as they moved through the winding corridors of the tower.

They emerged into the streets of Nocturna, where the city was bathed in silver moonlight. Despite the hour, the streets were alive with quiet murmurs and flickering lanterns. The people of Nocturna were always watchful.

And they were watching her.

Rene kept her head high, ignoring the whispers that followed her as she walked.

Nyra led them through the twisting paths of the city, past towering gothic structures and alleys that seemed to breathe with unseen energy.

Finally, she stopped in front of an old building, half-covered in creeping vines.

A sign above the door read: "The Oracle's Den."

Rene raised an eyebrow. "An oracle?"

Nyra sighed. "Not exactly."

She pushed the door open, and a rush of warm air and the scent of old books greeted them.

Inside, the space was cluttered—scrolls and tomes stacked haphazardly, shelves overflowing with strange trinkets. The dim lighting gave the place an eerie glow.

And at the center of it all, seated behind a desk covered in parchment and flickering candles, was a man.

He was tall, with dark, unkempt hair and piercing golden eyes that glowed faintly in the dim light. He looked up as they entered, his gaze settling on Rene before flickering to the child in her arms.

A slow, knowing smile spread across his lips.

"Well," he murmured, his voice smooth as silk. "This is interesting."

Nyra crossed her arms. "Cut the theatrics, Lucien."

Lucien leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Rena.

"I never expected her to return," he mused, more to himself than anyone else.

Rene stiffened. "You know me?"

Lucien chuckled. "Not exactly. But I know of you."

Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Then you must know why we're here."

Lucien exhaled, tapping his fingers against the desk. "A voice spoke to you, didn't it? A presence in the shadows?"

Rene's heart pounded. "How do you—"

"I know many things," Lucien said, his gaze sharp. "But I'll tell you this for free—whoever, whatever that was… it wasn't just watching."

Rene clenched her jaw. "Then what was it doing?"

Lucien leaned forward, his golden eyes glinting.

"It was calling to her."

Silence fell over the room.

Rene instinctively tightened her grip on Rena.

Nyra stepped forward, her voice low. "Calling to her how?"

Lucien tilted his head. "Like a whisper through the fabric of existence. A thread trying to pull her toward something."

Adrian and Adriel stood tense beside Rene, their small bodies radiating cold energy.

Rene forced herself to breathe. "And what happens if she answers that call?"

Lucien's smile faded.

"Then we'll all find out exactly what she is."

Rene swallowed.

She wasn't ready for that answer.

But something told her—whether she wanted to or not—she was about to find out.

To Be Continued…....