Bound by the Dark Prince

Evelyn's sleep was restless, filled with visions she couldn't understand. Shadows twisted in the corners of her mind, their voices murmuring in a language she didn't recognize. Yet, something about the whispers felt familiar. As if they were calling her home.

When she jolted awake, the room was still dark. Her heart pounded in her chest, and a strange warmth pulsed beneath her skin. She pressed a hand against her sternum, feeling the energy still thrumming through her veins.

A knock at the door made her sit up.

"Enter," she called, her voice steadier than she felt.

The door creaked open, revealing Kael. Dressed in his usual dark attire, he leaned against the frame, studying her. "You're awake early."

Evelyn swung her legs over the bed, rubbing her temples. "Not by choice."

Kael stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "You heard them, didn't you?"

She stiffened. "The whispers?"

He nodded. "They've been waiting for you to listen."

Evelyn frowned. "Who are they?"

Kael didn't answer right away. Instead, he sat in the chair across from her, his crimson gaze unwavering. "Memories," he said finally. "Echoes of those who came before you."

A shiver ran down her spine. "You're saying I'm… remembering something? From another life?"

"Perhaps," Kael mused. "Or perhaps the knowledge has always been inside you, waiting to resurface."

Evelyn clenched her fists. "Then why can't I understand what they're saying?"

Kael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Because you're still resisting."

She met his gaze, frustration flaring in her chest. "I don't even know what I'm resisting."

Kael studied her for a moment before standing. "Then it's time you learn."

Evelyn stood as well, ignoring the fatigue in her limbs. "What now?"

Kael motioned for her to follow. "A lesson."

They walked through the dim corridors, the torches casting elongated shadows on the stone walls. The deeper they went, the colder the air became. Eventually, they reached an ancient wooden door bound in iron. Kael pressed his palm against it, and the lock clicked open.

Beyond the door was a vast library, unlike anything Evelyn had ever seen. The walls stretched high, filled with books and scrolls that looked centuries old. Candles floated in the air, casting a soft glow over the space.

Evelyn's breath caught. "This… this is incredible."

Kael walked ahead, stopping at a specific shelf. "The answers you seek are here."

Evelyn approached, eyeing the worn tomes. "What exactly am I looking for?"

Kael pulled out a book and handed it to her. Its cover was made of black leather, the title inscribed in an unfamiliar script. "Start with this."

Evelyn hesitated before opening the book. As her fingers brushed the pages, the whispers in her mind grew louder, more distinct. And for the first time, she understood a single word.

Awaken.