Crimson Veil (Book I)

Unveiling Secrets

Elena followed Selene through the winding streets of Valoria, deeper into a part of the city she rarely ventured into. The air was cooler here, quieter, and the distant hum of traffic seemed far away, as if they had stepped into a different world. She kept her pace steady, but her mind was racing. Who was this woman, and why was she suddenly so interested in helping Elena?

"You're quiet," Selene observed as they turned down an alleyway, her voice calm. "Nervous?"

"A little," Elena admitted, glancing around. "I'm not used to following strangers into dark alleys."

Selene chuckled softly. "I promise, I'm not leading you into a trap. Just somewhere... private, where we can talk without interruptions."

Elena nodded, though the tension in her shoulders didn't ease. She had learned not to trust people too quickly, especially in the magical world. "I still don't understand why you're helping me. What's your stake in all of this?"

Selene glanced over her shoulder, her green eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "It's not about me, Elena. It's about you—and what you're meant to become. You're standing at a crossroads, and you need the full picture before you choose a path."

"I've heard that before," Elena muttered, thinking of both Lucien and Dante.

Selene stopped in front of an old iron door, pulling out a small key. "I'm not them. They both have their own agendas. I'm offering you something they can't—clarity."

Elena crossed her arms, skeptical. "And how exactly do you plan to give me that?"

Selene unlocked the door and pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with ancient artifacts, glowing runes etched into the walls, and a large, round table at the center. "This is where we start."

Elena stepped inside cautiously, her eyes scanning the room. The atmosphere was thick with magic, the air humming with energy she couldn't quite place. "What is this place?"

"This is one of the few sanctuaries left," Selene explained, closing the door behind them. "A place untouched by the magical families, hidden from their influence. Here, you can learn without interference."

Elena turned to face her, still unsure. "And what exactly am I supposed to learn?"

Selene walked over to the table, tracing her fingers along one of the glowing runes. "The truth. About your magic. About the prophecy. About what you're capable of."

Elena's heart pounded in her chest. "Everyone keeps talking about this prophecy, but no one gives me the details. What does it say, exactly?"

Selene gestured for her to sit. "The prophecy is old—older than any of the magical families you've encountered. It speaks of a power, a force unlike any other, that will be born into the world through someone with pure magic in their blood. That someone is you, Elena."

Elena frowned, sitting slowly. "Why me? I'm not from one of those families. I didn't even know about magic until recently."

"That's because your bloodline was hidden," Selene said, her voice gentle. "To protect you. You're not like Lucien or Dante. Your magic is older, deeper, more connected to the core of the world's magic. You're not just powerful—you're the key to a shift in the balance."

Elena blinked, her mind struggling to keep up. "A shift in the balance? What does that even mean?"

Selene's eyes met hers, the intensity in them undeniable. "It means that whichever path you choose will determine the fate of the magical world. Your power has the potential to destroy the old ways and create something new—or to reinforce the systems that have kept the magical families in control for centuries."