phine

e light. The streets stay silent. The quiet makes my chest feel heavy. I am alone, not

looks angry. She looks strong. She speaks my name in a voice that shakes me. A strange voice echoes in my head. It talks about twins

. He looks calm but serious. He carries papers tied with a black ribbon

p my face still. My heart beats

k of trouble among the vampire houses. They mention a prophecy. Twins b

phecy again. I swallow har

old books. She thinks the tw

ice is steady. "You

dreams. The council

heavy. I feel eyes on me, even though no one

His touch is warm. "You are strong, S

still feels unsure. I am glad he stands wit

n the air. Evelyn waits there. She looks excited. She holds an old scroll in her hands. "This is the prophe

d script. I struggle to read them. My eyes trace the lines. "The moon and the blood

e girl in my dreams my sister? A sister I never knew? The idea

l. The council fears the prophe

dig into my palms. "I will find t

re heavy. A silver pendant rests on my table. It bears a crescent moon. My father, Valentin Mircea, gave it to me long ago

mells of smoke and old stone. Servants step aside as I pass. Their eyes show respect. They also

ok strong. My aunt, Lady Mircea, leads them. Her gaze is sharp. I take my seat. My heart pounds.

rophecy. Twins born from bloo

hemselves. Their voices ar

pt secrets for years. The council is not p

er this carefully. If the twins exist, they could ai

me. "I do not know what the prophecy mea

ather valued family. He valued loyalty. He did

s dangers. I listen to every word. My path becomes cle

ose behind me. I stand alone with Lady Mircea. Her eyes look kinder

I am not sure I ca

hings from you. He did not mean to hurt you. He wante

ke a piece in a game. I do

uches my shoulder. "You are important. You choose

arry the weight of my famil

be careful. Not every kind face

o in the hall. I stand alone. Fea

light. "They grow bold," Darian says. His voice is serious. "The Pure cult. They are

y do they ac

rophecy as a threat. They fear the twins.

ust be stronger. We cannot le

allies. You must prepare

s on my face. "I will not let fear s

voice sounds like wind through trees. "You are the lost," she says. "Two halve

My hand grasps

voice echoes. "The lost will b

ud. The prophecy is not j

rets move like shadows. The twins' fate draws closer. I hold the penda

my sister. For my family.

spers. Servants speak of the prophecy. Nobles avoid my gaze. I feel their

is steady. "The twins are tied to the moon," she says. "Their power can heal. It can destroy."

grows bolder," he says. "They attack small villages. They leave bones as wa

s want to seek allies. I speak when they ask. "We need the wolves," I say. "The Ashwood pac

to the girl with green eyes. I see her face in my mind. She looks like

the room. I hold the pendant. It feels warm now. I think of my father. What

cult plans something big." I nod. I feel the weight of his words. "We need spies,"

t frightens me. I want to be free. I want to be strong. I close my eyes.

the Oracle," she says. "A guide for the twins." I read the pages. The words are old

ok tired. Lady Mircea speaks of new attacks. "The Pure cult strikes cl

ult will not wait." He nods. "I have men ready," he says.

ice stays with me. "The lost will be found," she says. I wake wit

he moon watches. I hold the pendant. I whisper

nnot turn back. I am Seraphine. I a