The Midnight Key

Rene's grip on Rena tightened.

Her heart pounded as the baby's soft voice faded into silence.

Selene.

It wasn't just a name—it was a key.

A piece of the puzzle they had been trying to put together, one that had remained just out of reach.

Lucien's golden eyes burned with intensity. "Say it again."

Rena's silver gaze flickered up at him, unblinking. She didn't smile this time. She didn't giggle like an innocent child.

She knew what she had just said.

But she didn't repeat it.

Instead, she reached out, small fingers curling into the fabric of Rene's cloak.

"She is waiting."

Nyra inhaled sharply.

Adrian and Adriel stiffened.

Lucien clenched his jaw.

Rene's throat was dry. "Where?" she whispered.

Rena didn't answer.

Instead, the room grew colder.

Not from Adrian or Adriel's ice—but from something else.

Something unseen.

Something listening.

Lucien moved instantly. He grabbed a blade from his belt and sliced a thin line across his palm. Gold blood welled at the cut, and he slammed his hand against the floor.

A pulse of golden energy surged outward, forming a shimmering barrier around them.

The coldness vanished.

The unseen presence retreated.

But not before leaving behind a single whisper—

"She should not exist."

---

For a long moment, no one spoke.

The only sound was the crackling of the small fire in the hearth.

Lucien exhaled sharply and flexed his fingers, watching as his wound closed instantly.

"We don't have time to waste," he said. "They're already trying to interfere."

Nyra dragged a hand through her hair. "Who, exactly? The ones who sealed her away? Or something worse?"

Lucien's golden gaze flickered. "Both."

Rene pressed her lips together. "Then we need to find Selene. Now."

Lucien nodded. "Agreed."

Adrian crossed his arms. "And where exactly do we start?"

Lucien was silent for a moment.

Then—

"There's one place."

Nyra narrowed her eyes. "You don't mean—"

"The Forgotten Ruins," Lucien confirmed.

Adriel tensed. "That place is a death sentence."

Lucien smirked darkly. "Only if you don't know the way."

Rene didn't hesitate.

If Selene was there, if she had the answers—

She would go.

No matter what.

Rene looked down at Rena, still cradled in her arms.

The baby—no, the soul within her—had started waking up.

And whatever was watching them knew it.

They had to move.

Before it was too late.

---