Third Person POV
3:00 PM— Oakwood Teaching Hospital
Elena sat in the hospital lounge. Her hands clasped tightly in her lap.
She knew the risks of leaving the tumor in her brain. She had heard every warning, every careful explanation from the doctors before she signed against medical advice.
Yet one question refused to leave her mind.
"What if the tumor is the source of my powers?"
If it kept growing, so did her visions. The future whispered to her in her dreams. Without those visions, would she have known where Evan was? Would she have been able to tip the police anonymously and save him before it was too late?
Her chest tightened.
If removing the tumor meant losing those visions… losing the chance to protect her son—wasn't that a risk too great to take?
"Elena." Hazel's voice cut through her thoughts. "They're here."
Elena looked up to see Alexander, with Seraphina, Sebastian, and another man she didn't recognize approaching them. Hazel rose quickly and walked straight into the man's open arms.
"Damien," Hazel said warmly, hugging him. "It's so good to see you."
So that's Damien, Elena noted silently.
Seraphina sat beside her, her presence calm and almost otherworldly. "Elena," she said in her ethereal voice, "how are you feeling?"
Before Elena could respond, Alexander stopped in front of her, towering over her seated form.
"Why did you sign the discharge papers against the doctor's advice?" he demanded. "You should reconsider."
Elena stiffened.
"Evan," she interrupted sharply. "Have you found him?"
Alexander paused.
"We're doing everything we can to locate your son," Seraphina said gently.
Elena's hope flickered. "What about the police?"
"Dead ends," Damien answered, his arm settling around Hazel's waist.
Elena's jaw tightened.
Why are they wasting time?
My baby doesn't have time.
"Master!"
Sebastian rushed toward them, phone clutched in his hand. "I just received a call from Officer Dinkly. The police got an anonymous tip regarding Miss Elena's son's location."
Damien immediately dropped his arm from Hazel's waist and kissed her forehead. "Later, my dear."
As Seraphina stood, Elena rose as well. "I'm coming with you."
"No," Alexander said firmly. "You're staying here."
Elena turned to face him, her eyes blazing. "And who do you think you are?"
"You're in no condition to follow us," he replied, his voice controlled but stern.
Elena scoffed. "Then how did that masquerading woman manage to walk freely into your supposedly security tight mansion?"
Alexander's eyebrows furrowed. "What are you implying?"
"Simple," Elena said coldly. "Either you tipped her off, or someone inside your 'secure' mansion did."
Silence fell.
Alexander's jaw clenched and he balled his fist tightly. He closed his eyes and opened them again before he exhaled slowly. "You'll ride with me."
Elena crossed her arms with a fierce glint in her eyes. "Whether you said it or not, I was coming. And don't you dare play games with me."
****
Sebastian drove, glancing occasionally at the rearview mirror.
Alexander sat rigid beside Elena, unusually quiet.
Sebastian had never seen his master submit to accusations so easily. And disturbingly… Elena might be right. A mole inside the Blackwood mansion was no longer impossible.
"Master," Sebastian said as he slowed the car, "we're here."
Alexander looked out the window.
Police vehicles surrounded an abandoned building, their lights flashing against cracked concrete walls. The police sirens wailed and Elena's heart raced. The air felt heavy inside the car.
In front of the building stood a woman with fiery red hair cut into a sharp bob. She held Evan.
A megaphone crackled.
"This is the police," an officer shouted. "You are surrounded. Hand over the boy and surrender."