Chapter 13 Summoned By The Elders

Rene's heart pounded as she met the woman's piercing violet gaze. The Elders of Nocturna—the most powerful and secretive figures in the city—had summoned her.

And she already knew it had something to do with Rena.

Nyra took a step forward, placing herself between Rene and the woman. "What do they want?"

The woman didn't blink. "They will explain when you arrive."

Lucien let out a quiet chuckle. "Oh, this should be fun."

Rene ignored him. Her instincts screamed at her to refuse, to keep Rena as far away from prying eyes as possible. But refusing an Elder's summons wasn't an option.

She turned to her twin brothers. Adrian's expression was unreadable, but his silver eyes burned with something dangerous. Adriel stood perfectly still, his small hands clenched at his sides.

"I'll go," Rene said finally. "But my family comes with me."

The woman hesitated, then nodded. "Very well. But you will not bring the child."

Rene's grip on Rena tightened. "Not happening."

The woman's lips pressed into a thin line. "The Elders' orders are clear—"

A sudden blast of cold air filled the room. Ice crackled across the floor, crawling toward the woman's feet.

She froze—literally—as a thin layer of frost formed around her boots.

Adrian's voice was calm, but the temperature in the room dropped further as he spoke. "Then the Elders can come here."

Adriel's silver eyes glowed faintly. "Or we'll make them."

Lucien let out a low whistle. "I like these two."

The woman narrowed her eyes but didn't move, as if testing how much colder the air could get. Finally, she exhaled sharply and pulled back her cloak.

"The child is an unknown force," she said. "You think you are protecting her, but you may be putting Nocturna in danger."

Rene stepped forward, ice cracking beneath her boots. "Then maybe Nocturna should worry about protecting her."

The woman studied her for a moment, then nodded once. "Very well. Bring the child. But be warned—if the Elders decide she is a threat, there will be consequences."

She turned sharply and walked out.

Silence filled the room.

Nyra sighed. "This is a trap."

Lucien grinned. "Oh, definitely a trap."

Rene adjusted Rena in her arms, her silver eyes burning. "Then we'll be ready."

—

(The Elders' Council Hall – Midnight)

The Council Hall was massive, its dark stone walls towering above them as they entered. Torches flickered with blue fire, casting eerie shadows along the floor.

A semicircle of cloaked figures sat at the far end of the chamber. Their faces were hidden beneath heavy hoods, but Rene could feel their eyes on her.

She stood tall, Rena cradled in her arms, with Adrian and Adriel flanking her. Nyra stood to her right, her stance tense.

Lucien, of course, lounged casually at her left, as if this were an entertaining play rather than a trial.

One of the Elders finally spoke. Their voice was deep, almost echoing. "You have brought the child."

Rene didn't reply. She wasn't playing their game.

Another Elder leaned forward slightly. "We have felt the presence around her. It is calling."

Lucien chuckled under his breath. "They always know, don't they?"

Rene ignored him. "So what?"

The Elders murmured among themselves before the first one spoke again. "She does not belong."

A chill ran down Rene's spine.

Those were the same words the voice in the shadows had whispered.

Adrian took a step forward, his silver eyes glowing faintly. "You don't decide where she belongs."

Adriel's voice was soft but firm. "She is our sister."

The Elders went silent.

Finally, one of them stood, lowering their hood.

An old woman with piercing black eyes studied Rena with something between curiosity and fear. "You do not understand what you are protecting."

Rene clenched her jaw. "Then tell me."

The old woman exhaled. "There is a prophecy."

Lucien smirked. "Oh, I love prophecies."

The Elder ignored him. "A child will rise, unbound by time or fate. But such a being does not exist without consequence."

Nyra frowned. "You think Rena is a danger."

The old woman's gaze flickered. "We think she is a key."

Rene's pulse quickened. "A key to what?"

The Elder hesitated. Then, slowly, she lifted a trembling hand and pointed toward the massive doors behind them.

Beyond them, the walls of the chamber trembled.

And then—

BOOM.

The doors burst open.

A wave of dark energy rushed into the room, curling around them like living smoke.

Rena stirred in Rene's arms, her tiny fingers twitching—

And then—

The darkness stopped.

It didn't attack.

It didn't harm.

It simply hovered.

Waiting.

The old woman's voice was barely above a whisper.

"She is not a child of this world."

Rene's blood turned to ice.

She barely had time to process the words before the shadows began to move again—twisting, shifting—

And then—

They spoke.

"She is ours."

The chamber erupted into chaos.

To Be Continued...

---