Chapter 13

Eliana's heart pounded in her chest as Zayne's words sank in, leaving her caught between disbelief and curiosity. A world of secrets? A world of lies? Was this all some twisted game, or was he telling the truth?

She took a step back, trying to clear her head. "You're saying my entire life has been a lie? That there's a danger I don't even know about?"

Zayne nodded, his gaze unwavering. "It's bigger than you think, Eliana. I've kept you away from it for your own safety. But now, I can't protect you anymore."

Eliana's eyes flicked to Aria, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. "And you," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "Are you in on this? What's your role in all of this?"

Aria met her gaze without flinching. "I'm here to help, Eliana. I don't want to be caught in the middle of this either, but... the truth's not something you can ignore anymore."

Zayne turned to Aria, his voice tight. "Not now, Aria."

But Aria shook her head. "No, Zayne. She needs to know. All of it."

Eliana's pulse raced as her thoughts scrambled. "What truth?" she demanded, her voice rising. "Tell me, then. What's going on? Who's after me?"

Zayne's expression hardened, and he finally stepped forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "Eliana, you're in danger because of who you are because of your family."

A chill ran down Eliana's spine. "My family?" she repeated. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"The secrets run deep," Zayne said, his voice low and filled with regret. "Your parents... they're not who you think they are. The danger that's coming for you isn't something I can stop on my own. I've been trying to protect you from it, but it's too late now."

Eliana shook her head, refusing to believe it. "No. You're not making sense, Zayne. My family's normal. We're just"

"Normal?" Zayne interrupted, his tone rising. "Do you really think your family is normal, Eliana? They've been hiding things from you. Your entire life has been a cover-up to keep you safe from the truth."

Eliana stumbled back, her breath catching in her throat. "What are you talking about?"

Aria stepped closer, her voice soft but urgent. "You don't know everything, Eliana. The people who are after you they know who you are. They know your bloodline."

Eliana blinked, her mind reeling. "My bloodline?" She glanced at Zayne, trying to make sense of his words. "What are you saying? I'm just a regular girl. A university student. What bloodline are you talking about?"

Zayne's expression darkened, the weight of his words pressing down on her. "You're not just anyone, Eliana. Your family's history is tied to something powerful. Something dangerous. The truth about your heritage about who you really are is something that could change everything."

Eliana could barely breathe. The walls felt like they were closing in. She turned to Aria, desperate for answers. "What's going on? What's the connection?"

Aria looked at her with sad eyes, then turned to Zayne. "It's time, Zayne. She has to know."

Zayne closed his eyes, as if bracing himself for the storm to come. "Eliana, you're part of something much bigger than yourself. Your family is part of a centuries-old pact. A pact that's been hidden away, even from you. And now, the people who are after you they're coming for that power."

Eliana's mind spun, and she could feel the room closing in on her. "No... no, this can't be real. My family... a pact? What power?"

Zayne's voice was heavy with regret. "You have no idea what they've kept from you. And now, it's too late. The forces we've been trying to hide from you are already moving."

A sickening feeling settled in her stomach. "So, you've been lying to me this whole time? Hiding the truth about my family's legacy from me? For what?"

"I didn't want you to get dragged into this," Zayne said, his eyes pleading. "But there's no way out now. If you want to survive, you have to trust me. Trust us."

Eliana was silent for a moment, her heart pounding, her head spinning. Could she trust him? Could she trust Aria? She was caught between the anger she still felt and the fear of what was coming next.

She looked at Zayne, her gaze hard and defiant. "You've kept me in the dark for far too long, Zayne. I don't know if I can trust you anymore."

But Zayne's voice was urgent. "You have no choice. They're coming for you. If we don't act now, we might lose everything."

The room felt suffocating as Eliana took a step back, her mind racing. She couldn't process everything at once. The world she thought she knew was crumbling, and she wasn't sure what was real anymore.

But one thing was clear: she was in this now. Whether she liked it or not, there was no turning back.

Eliana's mind raced, the weight of Zayne's words crashing down on her like a tidal wave. The room felt like it was spinning, and she struggled to steady herself. "So, what now? What am I supposed to do with all of this?"

Zayne's eyes were filled with urgency. "We need to get you out of here. They'll come for you soon, Eliana. And if we're not careful, they'll use you against us."

Her breath caught in her throat. "Who are they, Zayne? Who's after me? Why didn't you tell me any of this sooner?" Her voice trembled, but she fought to keep it steady.

Aria stepped forward, her face etched with concern. "There are people in the shadows, people with power and influence. They've been watching you for years. Your family your bloodline it's a key to something they've been after for a long time."

Eliana's head was spinning. She tried to make sense of it, but the pieces didn't fit. "And you two are part of this... secret world, hiding in the shadows?"

Zayne nodded, his jaw clenched. "Yes. And we've been trying to protect you. But now, it's too late for that. You have to make a choice, Eliana. Trust us, or risk everything."

Eliana stood frozen, every part of her body screaming to run, but her feet felt like they were cemented to the floor.

She had no choice but to listen at least, for now.