Heart of a Hunter

25. Into the Unknown

Blair's POV:

The man standing in the doorway—Lucas—looked like he'd seen too much, been through too many fights that didn't end well. His eyes, sharp and assessing, flicked from Dean to Sam, and then settled on me. For a split second, something unreadable flashed across his face before he stepped back, motioning us inside without a word.

The tension in the air felt thick, almost suffocating, as we followed him into the dimly lit house. The smell of old wood and dust hung in the air, and the sound of our footsteps echoed through the space, making it feel even more eerie. I couldn't help but feel a chill crawl up my spine. Something about this place—about him—set me on edge.

Sam's hand brushed against mine, a silent reassurance, and I squeezed his fingers briefly before letting go. I needed to stay focused, to keep my head clear, but it was hard when everything felt like it was closing in around me. This place, this man—he held answers. Answers I wasn't sure I was ready to hear.

"Sit," Lucas said, his voice gruff as he gestured toward the worn-out chairs around a small, cluttered table. "I'm guessing you didn't come all the way out here for a friendly visit."

Dean didn't waste any time. "We're here because we need answers. About the Arcani."

The name hung in the air like a curse, and I saw Lucas's jaw tighten, his eyes narrowing as he studied us. "The Arcani, huh?" he muttered, pacing to the other side of the room. "You boys are in deep if you're messing with them."

Sam leaned forward, his voice calm but insistent. "We're not just 'messing' with them. We need to know why they're after Blair."

At the sound of my name, Lucas's eyes snapped back to me, and I felt like I was being peeled apart under his gaze. His eyes flickered with something—recognition, maybe—but he stayed silent for a long moment. The weight of it pressed down on me, and I could feel the knot of fear tightening in my chest.

"You're Blair," he said slowly, as if testing the name on his tongue. "I should've known."

The way he said it sent a chill through me, and I couldn't stop myself from asking, "What do you mean?"

Lucas let out a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand over his face. "I heard whispers. Years ago. The Arcani don't go after people unless they've got a reason, something they think is worth protecting—or destroying."

I swallowed hard, the knot of fear growing tighter. "And my family? Did they kill them because of me?"

Lucas's eyes softened for just a moment before hardening again. "Maybe. I don't know everything, but from what I've gathered, the Arcani are after something bigger than just you or your family."

I felt Sam shift beside me, his body tensing. "What are you saying?"

Lucas crossed his arms, his gaze locking onto mine. "I'm saying you're part of something. Something old. Something dangerous. And the Arcani—they think you're the key."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, knocking the air out of my lungs. I'd been prepared for something bad —but not for this. The idea that I was some kind of "key" to whatever the Arcani wanted felt too unreal, too impossible to be true. My family had been murdered, my life turned upside down, all because of something tied to me? I wasn't anyone special. I didn't have some hidden power or connection to anything ancient. I was just... Blair.

I stared at Lucas, trying to make sense of what he was saying. "What do you mean, I'm the key? To what?"

Lucas sighed again, his eyes darkening with a kind of weary resignation. "The Arcani deal in old magic, old prophecies. They've been around for centuries, manipulating events, pulling strings, trying to control things most people don't even know exist. Your family was connected to them in ways you probably never understood. And you—well, you're the loose end they didn't expect. Something happened, something went wrong, and now they think you're the key to setting things right."