The sun was dipping below the horizon when Kyra arrived at Soraya's house. Tucked away on the edge of the woods, the house felt as though it had always been there, standing quietly among the trees, a place untouched by time. The air around it hummed with something ancient, and though Kyra was nervous, she couldn't deny the pull to step inside.
The house was modest, its stone exterior worn by years of weather, but there was something comforting about it—welcoming even. Kyra hesitated for only a moment before she pushed open the door. The scent of incense, earthy and warm, filled the air, and the quiet hum of a fire crackling in the hearth greeted her. It was a home, not the imposing lair of a stranger, and yet she knew Soraya was anything but ordinary.
Kyra stepped inside, the wooden floor creaking beneath her feet. Soraya stood by the fire, her dark cloak swirling around her as she moved. The violet of her eyes was striking, full of unspoken wisdom. She turned as Kyra entered, her gaze steady but filled with something that felt both like recognition and something deeper, more personal.
"Come in, Kyra," Soraya's voice was soft, but it held an undeniable strength. "You are safe here."
Kyra stepped into the room, noting the shelves lined with jars of herbs and books, the soft glow of candles casting gentle shadows on the walls. Soraya gestured to a seat by the fire, and Kyra took it, her heart racing.
Soraya moved to a small table and placed a vial of glowing liquid on it. The light from the fire flickered off the surface, casting a cool glow. She turned toward Kyra.
"I know you're seeking answers," Soraya said, her gaze unwavering. "And I know there is much you do not understand yet."
Kyra nodded, her voice tight as she spoke. "I feel… there's something you're not telling me."
Soraya took a slow breath. "There is a connection between us, Kyra. A bond that stretches back through generations."
Kyra blinked, confusion clouding her thoughts. "A connection?"
Soraya's eyes softened, but her tone remained firm. "Your great-grandmother, she was my sister. A witch. I have watched over your bloodline for longer than you can imagine."
Kyra's pulse quickened. She was struck silent for a moment, the weight of Soraya's words settling around her like a fog. She had known of her great-grandmother's witch heritage, but this? This was something new. Something far deeper.
"You... are saying that my great-grandmother was your sister? But how...?" Kyra stuttered, trying to make sense of the sudden revelation.
Soraya nodded, taking a seat opposite her. "Yes. She and I were bound by blood and magic, but our paths diverged long ago. And now, it is your turn to understand the powers within you."
Kyra felt a chill run through her as Soraya's words hung in the air. She had no idea what that meant, but she could feel the significance of it. The blood that ran through her veins wasn't just from Keal, or from her mother—it was something older, something connected to this witch, to Soraya, and to the power she had yet to fully grasp.
"Your heritage runs deeper than the vampire blood you carry," Soraya continued, her voice gentle but firm. "The witch's blood flows through your veins too, and there is something unique about you, Kyra. Something you need to understand."
Kyra swallowed, her hands trembling slightly as she clasped them together in her lap. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asked, her voice low.
Soraya's gaze softened. "Some things can't be told all at once. You will learn what you need when the time is right. For now, trust that your journey has just begun."
The weight of Soraya's words hung between them, thick with meaning. Kyra could feel the shift in the air, the unspoken promise of more revelations to come. But for now, this was all she could take in.
Soraya leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving Kyra. "There is much to prepare for. The powers you hold are not without consequence."
Kyra nodded slowly, the mystery of her heritage growing ever more tangled. The more she learned, the more questions she had. But one thing was clear: Soraya held the key to answers she couldn't yet comprehend. And whatever path she was on, it was only just beginning.