Crimson Veil (Book I)

Into the Unknown

Elena walked through the city streets, her mind racing. The neon lights of Valoria reflected off the rain-soaked pavement, but she barely noticed. The conversation with Lucien and Dante still echoed in her head, their words twisting around her thoughts. She'd made a decision to step away, to figure things out on her own, but it felt less like freedom and more like standing at the edge of a cliff.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she hesitated before pulling it out. It was a message from Lucien.

Lucien: Please, just let me know you're okay. I'll give you space, but I'm worried.

Elena sighed, her fingers hovering over the screen. She didn't want to ignore him, but she wasn't ready to talk either. Finally, she typed a quick response.

Elena: I'm fine. I'll reach out when I'm ready.

She shoved the phone back into her pocket and kept walking. She didn't know where she was going, only that she needed to get away from the constant push and pull between Lucien and Dante. She needed clarity, and she wasn't going to find it with them breathing down her neck.

"Elena."

The voice stopped her in her tracks. She turned and found herself face-to-face with a woman she'd never seen before—tall, elegant, with long dark hair and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light of the street.

"Who are you?" Elena asked, instinctively stepping back.

The woman smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "My name is Selene. You've been causing quite a stir in the magical world, Elena."

Elena narrowed her eyes, her body tensing. "How do you know who I am?"

"Everyone knows who you are," Selene said, her voice smooth and confident. "You're the one they've been waiting for—the one with the power to change everything."

Elena's heart raced. "If you're with one of the magical families—"

Selene raised a hand, cutting her off. "I'm not here to hurt you, Elena. Quite the opposite. I want to help you."

Elena scoffed, crossing her arms. "Help me? Everyone seems to want to 'help' me these days. What's your angle?"

Selene's eyes gleamed as she stepped closer. "No angle. I know you're feeling torn between two paths, and you don't know who to trust. That's why I'm here."

"And why should I trust you?" Elena shot back.

Selene's smile widened. "Because I'm not like them. I'm not Lucien, trying to cage you in with rules and control. And I'm not Dante, tempting you with promises of power without telling you the full cost. I'm offering something different—knowledge. You need to understand the full extent of your power, Elena. Only then can you make a real choice."

Elena hesitated, her pulse quickening. "What kind of knowledge?"

"Everything," Selene said softly. "About the prophecy, your magic, the truth behind what Lucien and Dante are fighting over. They've only given you pieces of the puzzle because they're afraid of what you might become. But I can show you the whole picture."

Elena felt a surge of curiosity, but also a flicker of fear. She had been lied to, manipulated, and kept in the dark for too long. But how could she trust someone who had just appeared out of nowhere?

"Why now?" Elena asked, her voice sharp. "Why are you just showing up now?"

Selene's expression softened. "Because you're ready. You've taken the first step by walking away from them. Now you need to see the bigger picture, the truth behind your power."

Elena swallowed, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on her. "And what's in it for you?"

Selene's smile was knowing, as if she had expected the question. "Nothing. I'm part of an old order, one that has watched over magic for centuries. We don't interfere—usually. But your situation is... different. You have the potential to tip the balance, one way or another. We want to make sure you know what you're getting into."

Elena shook her head, feeling overwhelmed. "This is too much. I just needed some space to figure things out, and now you're telling me there's an entire order watching me?"

Selene's voice was calm, but firm. "You've always been watched, Elena. From the moment you awakened. But now, it's time for you to understand why."

Elena took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. She had felt lost before, but now the weight of everything—Lucien, Dante, the prophecy—was crashing down on her all at once. She didn't know who to trust, and this new player, Selene, only added to the confusion.

"I don't know if I'm ready for this," Elena admitted quietly, her voice trembling slightly.

Selene reached out, placing a hand on Elena's arm. "You're stronger than you think, Elena. You've already proven that. But strength without understanding can be dangerous. Let me show you what you need to know."

Elena stared at her, the temptation to know the full truth tugging at her thoughts. She had spent so long being pushed and pulled by Lucien and Dante, both of them trying to shape her in their own way. Maybe Selene was right—maybe it was time to take control of her own fate.

"Alright," Elena said finally, her voice steady. "Show me."

Selene's smile returned, this time warmer. "Good. Follow me."

Elena hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the city behind her, then turned and followed Selene into the shadows. She didn't know what awaited her, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she was walking her own path.

As they disappeared into the night, Elena's phone buzzed again in her pocket. She ignored it.