The wind howled as Lucien and Evelyn rode toward the ruins of Aeredale.
The forest gave way to ash and stone, ancient trees long burned down. Even the air felt heavier here—like the land remembered a great sorrow.
Evelyn gripped the saddle tighter. Her dreams had grown worse—visions of blood and silver fire, a face like hers but with eyes full of hate.
And always, the word echoing in her mind:
"Return."
She didn't know what it meant. But it felt like a warning.
Or a summons.
Lucien glanced at her. "You're quiet."
She gave a soft smile. "Trying not to think about ghosts."
"You get used to it," he said. "After your third haunting, it's like family dinner."
She chuckled, the tension in her chest easing slightly. He always did that—made her feel less alone.
"Lucien," she said after a while, "you've seen things... horrible things. How do you keep going?"
He looked ahead, voice quieter. "Because I found someone worth fighting for."
Their eyes met.
The moment lingered—until a low rumble shook the earth.
They'd arrived.
Before them stood the Tomb of Aeredale, carved into a cliffside. Symbols of the Old Magic covered its walls. A heavy stone door blocked the way.
Evelyn reached out—and it opened at her touch.
Inside, cold wind twisted through long halls of bones and broken statues.
They lit torches, walking deeper into the darkness.
The silence was thick. Sacred.
"This place used to be a temple," Lucien whispered. "Before the vampire wars. They say it holds the memories of the fallen... and sometimes, the fallen speak."
"Speak to who?" Evelyn asked.
"To those who carry their blood."
Her steps slowed. The air felt... familiar.
Like home.
They reached a circular chamber. In the center, a black mirror stood—tall, ancient, untouched by dust.
Evelyn stepped toward it.
The glass shimmered.
And a voice filled the room.
"You are not alone."
Lucien drew his sword. "Who's there?"
The mirror swirled—then reflected two girls.
Evelyn... and another. Same face. Same hair.
But her eyes were wrong.
Dark. Cold. Angry.
Evelyn gasped. "Who is she?"
The voice answered:
"Your sister. Born of light and shadow. Hidden. Forgotten. Broken."
Evelyn stared, shaking her head. "No... I don't have a sister. My mother—she would've told me!"
The voice was soft. Sad.
"She tried. But fate is cruel. The child you do not remember was taken... before her first breath."
Lucien whispered, "Taken by who?"
"By Seraphine."
The room darkened.
And the image in the mirror... smiled.
Meanwhile, far away in the Crimson Citadel…
The girl from the coffin stood before Seraphine. Her skin glowed like ice. Her fingers left trails of frost on stone.
Seraphine circled her. "You are the other half. The forgotten piece. Your mother hid you because she feared what you would become."
The girl didn't speak.
"She named you Elara. But I will give you a new name. One worthy of the throne."
"Why?" the girl asked quietly. "Why bring me back?"
"Because your sister thinks she can stop me. She thinks her light makes her special. But you… you were born in silence. In death. And death obeys you."
Seraphine leaned close.
"You will be her end."
Elara's eyes turned black.
"I'll burn her world," she whispered. "And when I'm done... I'll burn yours too."
Back in the tomb, Evelyn stumbled away from the mirror.
"This isn't real," she muttered. "It's a trick. A lie."
But deep inside, something stirred. A memory she couldn't place.
Lucien put a hand on her shoulder. "Even if it is real, it doesn't change who you are. You're not defined by blood, Evelyn. Or secrets. You choose your path."
Her voice trembled. "But what if she's stronger? What if she hates me? What if—"
Lucien turned her to face him.
"Then we stand together."
His hand cupped her cheek. "I've seen you face down monsters. Face down me when I was at my worst. You think some ghost from the past is going to break you?"
She laughed softly, blinking tears. "You're such a fool sometimes."
He smiled. "Your fool."
And then they kissed—deeper this time. Not rushed or stolen. It was quiet, burning, real.
A promise.
But the moment shattered as the mirror cracked.
And Elara's voice echoed from the glass.
"I'm coming, sister."
"Let's see what happens... when a heart breaks twice."