Chapter 14 The Shadows Speak

The room was in chaos.

The Elders' voices clashed in hurried whispers, their once-stoic demeanor cracking as the shadows loomed over them. Adrian and Adriel reacted instantly—twin bursts of silver and ice energy colliding with the darkness, sending shards of frozen mist spiraling through the air.

But the shadows didn't retreat.

They simply parted around the attacks, undeterred.

Nyra grabbed Rene's arm. "We need to get out of here—now."

Rene barely heard her. Her heart pounded as the shadows curled toward her, stopping inches away from Rena.

The darkness didn't touch the baby.

It hovered. It waited.

And then—

Rena's eyes opened.

For the first time since the presence had appeared, the child stirred completely awake.

Her silver irises, so much like Rene's, shimmered with something deeper—something unnatural.

And when she blinked, the shadows trembled.

A ripple of energy pulsed outward from the baby, passing through the chamber like an unseen force.

The Elders gasped. One of them staggered back, clutching their chest as if they had been struck.

The shadowy voice echoed again, softer this time.

"She hears us."

Rene's breath caught.

Rena's tiny fingers curled in the fabric of Rene's cloak. She wasn't afraid.

She was aware.

Nyra took a step back, one hand on the hilt of her weapon. "Rene. We have to go."

Lucien, for once, looked completely fascinated. His golden eyes gleamed as he leaned forward, watching Rena intently. "Oh, this is new."

Adrian and Adriel stood rigid, their silver-light energy flickering like a dying flame. They weren't afraid, but they were waiting—watching.

The old Elder, the one who had spoken before, fell to her knees. Her black eyes were wide with something between awe and horror.

"She does not belong," the Elder whispered.

Rena blinked again.

The darkness shivered.

And then—

Without warning, the shadows retreated.

Like mist in the wind, they pulled back, curling toward the open doors before vanishing into the night.

Silence.

The room felt emptier without the presence. The air lighter. But the tension remained.

Rene stared at Rena, her arms tightening protectively around the child.

What had just happened?

Nyra exhaled, breaking the silence. "I don't like this."

Lucien let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "Like it or not, something just acknowledged her."

Rene swallowed hard. "What was that?"

The Elder slowly rose to her feet. "A being that should not exist."

Adriel narrowed his eyes. "But it does exist."

The Elder nodded grimly. "And now, it knows where she is."

A chill ran down Rene's spine.

Rena had done something. She had connected with the presence, even if only briefly.

And whatever it was—whoever it was—

It would return.

Nyra pulled her hood over her head. "We need to leave. If they know where she is, we can't stay here."

Rene turned to the Elders. "You said she's a key."

The old woman hesitated. "Yes."

"A key to what?"

The Elder's expression darkened.

"To a door that should never be opened."

Lucien let out a soft whistle. "Oh, now I'm interested."

Adrian and Adriel moved closer to Rene, their silver eyes unreadable. But she could feel their emotions, even if they didn't say them out loud.

They were ready to protect her. To protect Rena.

No matter what came next.

Rene took a deep breath and turned toward the doors. "Then let's find out what's behind it."

Because if Rena was being called—

Rene was going to make sure she had the answers before anything tried to take her.

To Be Continued…....

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