Chapter 20 Echoes Of The Unseen

The fire crackled softly, but the warmth did nothing to dispel the chill that had settled over the room. Rene's fingers tightened around Rena as Selene's words echoed in her mind.

"Rena was not born. She was made."

No one spoke for several moments. The weight of the revelation settled over them like a thick fog, suffocating and inescapable.

Finally, Nyra broke the silence. "You expect us to believe that?"

Selene's violet eyes flickered toward her, calm and unwavering. "I don't expect anything. I only came to tell you the truth."

Nyra scoffed. "A truth you conveniently left out before."

Lucien chuckled under his breath. "I like this one. She's just as untrusting as I am."

Nyra shot him a glare, but Rene barely registered their exchange.

She looked down at Rena. Her little fingers curled around the fabric of Rene's cloak, her breath soft and steady.

She looked like any other child. Felt like any other child.

But now…

Rene forced herself to take a breath. It didn't matter.

Created or not, Rena was hers.

She lifted her gaze to Selene. "Why?"

Selene tilted her head. "Why what?"

"Why was she made?" Rene's voice was steady, but her grip on Rena didn't loosen. "What was she meant for?"

Selene hesitated.

Lucien leaned back against the wall, his golden eyes gleaming with interest. "Go on. I'd love to hear the answer to that."

Selene sighed. "You think I know everything?"

"You know enough," Rene countered.

Selene was quiet for a long moment. Then, finally—

"She is a key to something that should never be opened."

A heavy silence followed.

Rene's heart pounded in her ears. "A key?"

Selene nodded. "Not in the way you think. She isn't a tool to unlock something. She is the lock. The last seal keeping something contained."

Lucien let out a slow whistle. "Well. That's dramatic."

Nyra shot him a look, then turned back to Selene. "And what exactly is she holding back?"

Selene exhaled, glancing at the fire. The flames reflected in her violet eyes, dancing like restless spirits.

"No one truly knows," she admitted. "It was sealed away long before recorded history. But whatever it is… it terrifies even the ones who created her."

The words sent an uneasy shiver down Rene's spine.

The ones who created her.

The ones who would come for her.

Adrian finally spoke, his voice quiet but firm. "Then they must never have her."

Adriel nodded. "She belongs with us."

Rene swallowed the lump in her throat. She had always known Rena was different, but this…

This changed everything.

Or did it?

She looked down at the baby again. Rena shifted slightly, a soft hum escaping her lips. For all the danger she supposedly carried, she was still just a child.

Her child.

Rene lifted her gaze. "No matter what she was meant to be, she's my sister. And I won't let anyone take her."

Selene studied her carefully.

Then, after a long pause—

A slow, knowing smile.

"I was right about you," she murmured.

Nyra tensed. "What does that mean?"

Selene didn't answer. Instead, she reached into her cloak and pulled something out.

A small, silver pendant.

She stepped forward and held it out to Rene.

"This will help," she said simply.

Rene eyed it warily. "What is it?"

Selene's expression darkened. "A shield. Of sorts."

Lucien let out a low chuckle. "Now that's ominous."

Rene hesitated only a moment before taking the pendant. The metal was cool in her palm, and for a brief second, she thought she felt something pulse within it.

Selene stepped back. "Keep her close. And keep moving."

Rene narrowed her eyes. "Why?"

Selene's violet gaze met hers, serious and unwavering.

"Because they've already started looking."

A sharp silence filled the air.

Then—

A distant sound.

A howl.

Low. Hollow.

But not from any beast.

Rene's blood ran cold.

Lucien sighed dramatically. "Well. That didn't take long."

Selene's expression remained unreadable. "This is only the beginning."

Nyra tightened her grip on her weapon. "Let them come."

Adrian and Adriel moved to the balcony, their silver eyes glowing faintly.

Rene took a steadying breath.

She held Rena closer, feeling the weight of the pendant in her hand.

Whatever was coming—

They were ready.

To Be Continued….