Chapter 64
Lisa’s POV
The room still felt thick with magic when the seer leaned closer to me. Her eyes, a pale shade of grey, shimmered strangely in the candlelight. Her expression turned serious.
“There is something else, child,” she said quietly.
I looked up. My fingers still gently clutching the locket. “What is it?”
She reached out and placed two fingers just above my heart. I flinched at the sudden coldness of her
touch.
“There is a dark presence around you. Faint but watching. Waiting,” she murmured.
Sierra stirred inside me. She knows. She can feel it too.
“What kind of presence?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“One that seeks to control, to bind, to break,” she said. “You are strong. Very strong. You will be able to
defend yourself if needed. But even the strongest light can flicker in the wind.”
She turned and went to a shelf behind her. Her hands moved over vials and boxes until she found a small
and round wooden box. She opened it carefully and brought something out.
It was an amulet.
A deep, blood-red stone was set into the center of a silver pendant shaped like a crescent moon cradling a star. Delicate etchings of runes circled its edges. The chain looked fragile but pulsed faintly with magic.
She held it out to me. “Wear this always. Never take it off. It has been enchanted with protective spells, linked to your blood now. It will protect you against dark forces.”
I took it in my hands and felt a jolt of warmth move up my fingers. My breath caught in my throat.
Sierra whispered, It’s powerful. Keep it close.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
She nodded. “You have a long road ahead, Lisa. You will be tested. But you are not alone. If ever you need help again, come to me. The bond between us is formed.”
I stood and bowed my head respectfully. Rylan did the same.
“Thank you for everything,” he said sincerely.
As we stepped outside, the sunlight felt too bright after the seer’s shadowed world. The forest around us was still and holding its breath.
We got into Rylan’s car and he started the engine.
CUN CA
For a while, we just drove.
Then he spoke. ‘I’ll have someone look into Althea and this Aaron. Maybe someone has heard of them. It’s
a long shot, but now that we have names, we can start somewhere.”
I turned toward him. “Thank you, Rylan. I mean it. If you hadn’t taken me in… if you hadn’t believed in me, I
wouldn’t even know who I really am.”
He smiled. His eyes were still on the road. “You would have figured it out. You’re stubborn like that.”
I laughed softly. “I’m serious. You’ve helped me so much. More than anyone ever has.”
He glanced at me with a smirk. “You know, you keep complimenting me like that and I might start thinking
you’re in love with me.”
My cheeks heated. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Alpha.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? So you admit there is a chance?”
“You’re impossible,” I muttered and looked out the window to hide my smile.
He chuckled. “But you like that about me.”
Sierra snorted. He is enjoying this way too much.
I know, I whispered back. But I kind of like it too.
We passed through the familiar roads that led to the Frostbane mansion. The trees gave way to the broad
iron gates that opened slowly as we approached.
As the car rolled up the driveway, something caught my eye.
Alexandra.
She was hurrying down the front steps. She was clutching her purse and her face was pale. Her black hair was pulled back in a messy bun and she looked around nervously.
Rylan parked the car and stepped out quickly.
“Alex! Where are you going?” he called.
She jumped at his voice and turned around. “I….I’m going to meet a friend. Just for a bit.”
Rylan frowned. “Is something wrong? You look… shaken.”
She forced a smile. “No, everything’s fine. Really.”
I frowned. That smile was too quick. Too rehearsed.
Rylan narrowed his eyes. “Wait a minute. I’ll get a guard or two to come with you.”
“No!” she said too quickly. “It’s not necessary. I’ll be back soon, I promise.”
Before either of us could say another word, she climbed into her car and sped off.
Rylan sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “That girl never listens to me.”
I stepped beside him and touched his arm gently. “She’ll be okay. She’s strong.”
But deep inside, something twisted in my gut. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. The way Alexandra had looked…
Sierra whispered, She’s hiding something.
I felt it too.
I gave Rylan a small smile. “Come on. Let’s go inside.”
We walked up the stairs together but my mind stayed on Alexandra.
Something wasn’t right.
I made a mental note to speak to her as soon as I could.
Because whatever was going on… I had a feeling it wasn’t just about a friend.
And if the seer’s warning was right, darkness was closer than we thought.
