so hard it hurt. I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want

had be

ad t

? Was my mind playing tricks on me? Was I just tired, overwhelmed by

But no matter how much I tried to convince mys

Someone had been sitti

they we

gh the house itself was holding its breath. I b

ning things. Mayb

own, I kne

had be

of emotions spinning in my chest. But somewhere far from

ustion. The teleportation had drained him more than he expected, leaving him hunched forward, one hand pressed to

up from the book he'd been pretending to read. His eyes

ok with a lazy clap. "Who's chasing you? You

re but said nothing, his brea

ned forward in his chair, the firelight catching the mischief in his eyes.

back of his hand across his damp forehead

ch and unapologetic. "You di

an said finally,

ead. "You're unbelievable. So, what did you

it with a heavy sigh, his posture tense. "Not much," he admitted, his tone clipped.

eaning back in his chair. "

ow sh

"What if she's not?" he asked quietly. "What if this whole prophecy thin

but his eyes darkened-a sharp, unsp

aid simply, his voice

e real questions." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "What's she like? Is she pretty? What

ugh his otherwise impassive expression. Without a word, he grabbed the neare

the book thudded against the wal

aze steady. "She looks like your head,

e leaned back in his chair. The sound echoed through

ewhere-on the girl who had consumed his mind, the one he couldn't

oment giving way to the weight of reality. Lucian sat up straighter, his usual composed dem

cian said, his tone low but firm.

lazy grin. "Her? Do you mean the girl? Lov

If she's who I think she is, this isn't just a

meanor shifting into something more serious. "Alri

us. If they're even remotely aware of someone new in Oakwood, we'll know soon enough.

? If word gets out that someone's moved into Oakwood-especial

aid. "Make sure no one notices anything unusual. No whispers, no

d slowly. "A

tightened.