*********Harper
Cold. That was the first thing I felt.
A deep, crawling cold that seeped into my bones like ice water, sharp and biting. My head throbbed, my vision blurred as I blinked into the dimly lit room. For a few disoriented seconds, I couldn't remember what had happened — only flashes of lightning, a scream, and Kael's eyes… so empty, so cruel.
Then I realized I couldn't move.
My wrists ached. My arms were tied behind a heavy wooden chair, the coarse ropes digging into my skin until it burned. The air smelled faintly of smoke and iron — and something else, something metallic that reminded me of blood.
I looked down.
Beneath me, the floor was engraved with glowing runes — pale blue and red sigils spinning slowly in a circle around me, humming with restrained energy. It wasn't just a spell formation; it was a containment seal. My magic — Ravenna's magic — was being suppressed, trapped like a caged animal clawing to get out.
A large mirror stood in front of me, draped with a crimson cloth. Its frame was gold, carved with strange demonic symbols that pulsed faintly in time with the runes beneath my feet.
A chill ran through me.
Why would Kael… do this?
My heart squeezed painfully at the thought. The same Kael who had trained me, fought beside me, even saved me once — was now the one who'd tied me up like this? I didn't understand. I wanted to believe there was a reason, something deeper than betrayal.
"Kael…" I whispered into the empty air. "What are you doing?"
The silence that followed was unbearable. Then, a faint creak echoed from behind the heavy door.
Footsteps. Slow. Steady. I held my breath.
The door opened, and he stepped inside.
Kael.
But he wasn't the Kael I remembered. His black coat shimmered faintly under the dim light, his silver hair disheveled and glinting like threads of moonlight. His eyes — usually calm and deep — burned now with something darker, colder. He held a small, gleaming knife in his hand, spinning it lazily between his fingers as if it were nothing but a toy.
When our eyes met, he smiled. But it wasn't a smile of warmth. It was the kind that could make your blood run cold.
"Well," he said, his voice low and smooth, carrying a dangerous amusement. "You're awake."
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. "Kael… what is this? Why am I tied up?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he walked closer, his boots clicking softly against the stone floor. The runes beneath me glowed brighter as he stepped into their circle, reacting to his presence. He stopped just inches away from me, tilting his head as if studying a painting.
Then — he chuckled.
A soft, chilling sound that twisted something inside me.
He reached out and gently touched my face. His fingertips traced the line of my jaw, his thumb brushing across my cheek with unnerving tenderness.
I froze.
His touch was warm, almost comforting — and that was what made it terrifying.
I met his eyes and sighed shakily. "Kael… what are you doing?"
His grin widened. "I really underestimated you, Harper."
My heart skipped. "What…?"
He leaned closer until I could feel his breath against my ear. "I thought manipulating you would work. I thought I could control you — bend you to my will. But you… you almost ruined everything."
I blinked, my pulse racing. "Manipulate? Ruined? Kael, what are you talking about? You're not making sense!"
Kael straightened, brushing a strand of his silver hair back, but then stopped halfway. He chuckled again, this time running his hand roughly through his hair, messing it up even more. The motion drew attention to his sharp jawline, the curve of his lips — and I hated that, in that moment, I noticed.
Seriously? I scolded myself internally, heat creeping up my neck. He's literally holding a knife and you're… distracted by his face? Focus, Harper.
Kael sighed softly, as if amused by something only he understood. "Everything happens for the best," he said at last, his tone calm — eerily calm. "Ravenna chose you, Harper. And now, you have her power."
I stared at him, confusion clawing through me. "Ravenna's… power?"
He smiled again — a strange, almost reverent expression. "It's exactly what I need."
Then he turned, walking toward the mirror draped in red. My eyes followed him, my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
He stopped in front of it and, with deliberate slowness, pulled the cloth away.
The mirror shimmered to life, revealing not our reflections — but the image of a woman.
A beautiful woman.
Her hair was long and dark as midnight, her eyes glowing faintly red, her expression serene yet deadly. Her presence radiated an ancient power that made the air heavy.
Kael looked at the mirror and smiled — not the cruel smirk he'd shown me earlier, but something softer, almost affectionate.
"Mother," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "You'll finally be free. You'll get your revenge on everyone who wronged you."
A shiver ran down my spine.
Mother?
I didn't have time to process before Kael turned back toward me. He approached slowly, knife in hand, the blade catching the dim light as he knelt beside me.
"Don't worry," he murmured, gripping my hand tightly. "It won't hurt much."
My pulse thundered in my ears as he raised the knife toward my palm. "Kael—wait! Please! Don't—"
A sudden noise shattered the tension.
The door slammed open.
Light flooded the room — brilliant, white, and sharp. I squinted against it, my heart racing as familiar voices pierced through the chaos.
"Stop right there!"
Ellis.
She stepped into the room, her power radiating like wildfire. Behind her stood Zareth and several others, their eyes blazing with fury.
Kael froze, his knife hovering just above my skin. His expression hardened.
Ellis's gaze flicked to me — her eyes softened, just for a moment — then turned back to Kael, blazing with fury. "What have you done?"
Kael's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Ellis turned sharply to Zareth. "Take her away. Now."
Zareth looked reluctant, almost regretful. "Ellis—"
"Now, Zareth!" she snapped, her voice trembling with urgency.
Zareth sighed, then nodded. He moved toward me quickly. I felt his hand press against my shoulder, and in an instant, the entire world seemed to bend and twist.
The room, the runes, Kael's cold eyes — all vanished in a blur of light.
The next thing I knew, we were standing in a vast, quiet clearing under a violet sky. The air was cool, filled with the scent of pine and dew. A small stone temple stood nearby, glowing faintly with protective wards.
I turned to Zareth, still dizzy. "Where… where are we? What's going on? Why would Kael do that?"
Zareth's eyes darkened. "Kael's mother… she has an old grudge against the First Witch Clan."
I blinked at him, confused. "First Witch Clan? Who are those?"
He exhaled, his expression weary. "My clan — and Vaelthor's — are the First Witch Clan. The oldest of all. The source of most bloodlines."
My heart pounded. "Wait—what? But Kael told me your clan was from the Supreme Lineage—"
Zareth gave a faint, bitter smile. "That wasn't the whole truth. The Supreme Clan is part of the Witch Clan. But it's also tied to others — the Raven Clan, the Seraphina Clan, and many more. We're all connected… by blood, power, and curse."
I stared at him, utterly lost. "I… I don't understand. This is too much. I'm so confused."
Zareth looked at me gently, his voice softening. "I know, Harper. I'll explain everything to you — slowly. But for now, listen carefully."
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to nod as he began to speak.
And for the first time, I realized how deep the web of truth — and lies — really went.