SHADOWS AND SECRETS

Aurora sat on the stone bench of the catacomb, her hands trembling, the scent of scorched air still clinging to her skin. Her magic had never burned that hot, that bright. It had felt like something ancient and alive had stirred inside her—something that wasn't entirely hers.

Croix circled her like a vulture. "She's been watching you for years, little ember. The twin who walks in shadow. Now that the blood moon nears, she won't hide anymore."

Zayne placed a protective hand on Aurora's shoulder. "Where is she?"

"She could be anywhere," Croix murmured. "But the connection between twins... it's unbreakable. As she awakens, you'll feel her. Dream of her. And when the veil drops, she'll come for you."

Aurora looked up, heart pounding. "And if I'm not ready?"

Croix's pale eyes narrowed. "Then she'll consume you. Flame devours flame until only one remains."

Back at the Flat

They returned to the flat under the weight of Croix's words. Ethan stayed behind, interrogating the remaining scrolls, while Fiona escorted them home with watchful eyes and her blade never far from reach.

Inside, Aurora barely made it through the front door before collapsing onto the couch.

Zayne stood over her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "We should train. Now."

"Train?" she scoffed. "I nearly set the ceiling on fire. You want me to do that again?"

"Yes," he said. "Because next time, your sister won't send wraiths. She'll come herself."

Fiona dropped her bag by the door. "He's right. That level of magic? That was raw power. No control. If she manipulates it—if she twists it—you'll explode before you even get to face her."

Aurora groaned and let her head fall into her hands. "I didn't ask for any of this."

"No one asks to be the chosen one," Zayne said quietly. "But we don't get to run anymore."

She lifted her gaze to his, eyes gleaming with equal parts fear and fury. "Then teach me."

The Fire Within

The basement of their building was cramped and cold, but it was private. Zayne drew protective runes along the walls while Fiona set up wards. Aurora stood in the center, barefoot on the stone floor, her breath visible in the air.

"Focus on the flame," Zayne instructed, standing a few feet away. "Not the power. The source."

Aurora closed her eyes. Her heartbeat slowed. She reached inward—to that molten core she'd always buried. It came faster this time. Not like fire, but like thunder—fierce, shaking her bones. She flinched.

"No," Zayne barked. "Stay with it. Own it."

She clenched her fists. Sparks danced across her skin.

"Again!"

The power flared—and this time, she didn't pull away. She embraced it.

The floor cracked beneath her.

Fiona shielded her face from the sudden blast of heat. "She's going nuclear!"

Zayne moved fast. He grabbed Aurora's wrists, grounding her with his touch. "Don't lose yourself, Aurora. Don't burn alone."

The flames died slowly. Her eyes opened, glowing gold, heart pounding. She had felt it—the control.

Zayne smiled, breathless. "Now we're getting somewhere."

The Message

Later that night, as Aurora rested on the couch, Fiona tossed her a sealed envelope.

"It was slipped under the door."

Aurora opened it carefully. The parchment was thick, ink scrawled in crimson. One line:

"Come to the place you were born. Or she will come to you."

There was no signature.

Aurora's breath caught. "I don't know where I was born."

"You don't remember," Zayne corrected.

Her fingers trembled as she turned the note over. Hidden in the corner was a symbol—burned into the parchment.

A serpent, devouring its own tail.

"The mark of the Flameborn," Fiona whispered. "And the Twinborn."

Zayne stepped forward. "We need to find your origin. Now."

The Secret Keeper

The next morning, they traveled to a quiet estate outside the city—a crumbling manor Aurora had never seen before. But the moment she stepped onto the grounds, her magic stirred.

"I've been here," she whispered.

Zayne nodded. "It's the Holloway estate. The midwife who delivered you and your sister lived here. She disappeared right after."

They entered the old manor. Dust coated everything. But in one room, an old diary lay open on a table, its pages fluttering despite the still air.

Aurora moved toward it and read aloud.

> "Two flames. One body split. One light. One night.

The mother weeps. The blood moon bites.

I took the child. I hid the truth.

But truth always burns through the root."

Zayne looked to Aurora, eyes wide. "She split you two to save you."

"But who was she hiding me from?" Aurora asked.

From the shadows, a voice answered.

"Me."

End of chapter 20