I believe no one truly knows what they are capable of until they lose a loved one. I did not know either—until I experienced it firsthand not long ago.
From a very young age, I was taught the importance of never going against the rules established three centuries ago by my family, and that breaking them would bring consequences. However, I cared little when I lost her. Ironically, breaking those rules is what allowed me to bring Linore back.
Today, I find myself on the verge of a trial for the decision I made. I was forbidden from any contact with the outside world—a situation I accepted without resistance, as the only person I truly longed to connect with was absent.
I wonder what she would have said, and of course, my mind cannot help but imagine her by my side, resting her head on my shoulder, offering me comfort with her gentle touch.
She was my safe place, and as the years went by, I realized I had grown used to that. That is why, when I lost her, I decided to do everything in my power to regain that feeling of safety.
I was warned that facing a trial would be inevitable.
Now, more than ever, I needed to ensure I would not be separated from her. If it was already a challenge to appear in her nightmares without revealing my identity, doing so from a distance—confined to a room protected by talismans—would be even more difficult.
I would have no chance of seeing Linore again until I had served my sentence, and by then, I would no doubt have aged.
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Seated around a long glass table, my relatives waited for my arrival with palpable unease, some of them drumming their fingers against the surface. They refrained from speaking to me until I took my place before them—a somewhat difficult task, given that I was handcuffed.
With a loud bang on the table, my paternal grandfather opened the trial, not without first casting a disapproving glance in my direction. Now he had the perfect justification to exile me, just as he had done with my uncle in the past.
"I had hoped for a better upbringing from you, but I must express my deep disappointment upon learning that it was none other than my youngest grandson who has transgressed the laws of reincarnation".
"Are you truly certain? I believe your first disappointment was the moment I was born," I replied coldly. "Let us leave formalities behind, grandfather, especialy at this point".
My grandfather fell silent. Anyone could see he was making a considerable effort to maintain his composure and not lunge at me. Even at seventy-seven years old, he still had the strength to render us all unconscious with ease.
"I suppose the glass table was not the wisest choice. For the next trial, you should consider a wooden one—cedar, in particular, for its durability in the event of a family altercation," I suggested with a hint of sarcasm.
"You may not have lost your sense of humor, but you will certainly lose your freedom if you continue behaving this way. For your own sake, I advise you to change your attitude promptly".
After a brief moment, my grandfather stood and walked toward me with confident steps. One of his hands gripped the collar of my black shirt firmly, and he leaned in close enough to my ear to whisper menacingly:
"We both know that, if it comes to it, you could leave here in a wheelchair. I do not care if you lose consciousness in the process, and I doubt I am the only one who feels this way. However, unless I am mistaken, there is still someone who might care. She is now known as... Idyllia, is that right?" His eyes gleamed with malice, defiant.
A chill ran down my spine. The room seemed to shrink with every passing second. My heart pounded uncontrollably.
A part of me found comfort in being handcuffed, as it helped hide the trembling in my hands.
"Did you think you could keep it hidden? You have no idea what I am capable of, and just as you did, I too can disregard certain rules if it means protecting our identity".
Then, he turned around and settled into a chair at the head of the table, radiating an aura of authority. With a slight motion of his hand, an image of Linore began to form in the center of the table. However, it was not the version I remembered.
Her hair, now a striking blonde and perfectly straight, fell over her shoulders like a cascade. Her facial features had become more refined, highlighted by captivating honey-colored eyes.
Without a doubt, she was the daughter of the Devieilhe family, the ones who seek to extinguish any trace of us. Our hunters.