Chapter 28
The crimson mist of the chamber swirled around Elana and Lucian as they stepped away from the Mirror of Truth. Though the mirror had revealed her inner strength, a lingering unease remained. The hall was not done testing them. Somewhere, Kade watched, biding his time.
"Elana," Lucian said softly, his silver eyes scanning the shadows, "the hall reacts to Kade's presence. He's close. You can feel it, can't you?"
Elana nodded. Her skin tingled, and a cold shiver ran down her spine. "Yes. It's… heavy, like the air itself is pressing on me."
"Good," Lucian said. "It means the hall acknowledges him. That also means we can track him—if we're careful."
They moved cautiously down the winding corridor, every step echoing in the vast, empty space. Shadows clung to the walls, stretching unnaturally, flickering as if alive. Every whisper of movement made Elana's pulse quicken.
Suddenly, the corridor darkened more than the Blood Moon's crimson could explain. A shadow detached from the wall—a dark, fluid form, moving with purpose. Elana recognized the figure immediately: Kade.
"Finally," he said smoothly, his voice echoing unnaturally off the stone walls. "You've grown stronger, but strength alone cannot protect you from the hall… or from me."
Lucian stepped in front of Elana, his aura glowing silver. "Back, Kade," he warned. "You will not touch her."
Kade's grin widened. "Ah, but she's mine to test… or destroy. And the hall? It serves me well when the time is right."
Elana felt the air thicken. The shadows around Kade shifted, curling like smoke. His presence alone seemed to bend the crimson light, feeding the hall with tension and fear.
"You want her fear," Elana said, voice steady despite the fear coiling in her stomach. "You want to control her. You'll never succeed."
Kade tilted his head, amused. "Bold words. But bold words are meaningless when the hall whispers truths you cannot deny."
Elana's eyes flicked to her mark, glowing faintly under her collarbone. She focused on its warmth, its connection to Lucian. The bond pulsed through her, steady and grounding.
Lucian stepped closer, his voice low. "Remember, Elana. Fear is their weapon. Strength is ours. Trust the bond."
Taking a deep breath, Elana let the hall feel her determination, her resolve. The silver light of her mark spread, pushing against the shadows that clung to Kade. He hissed, momentarily recoiling as the hall's power responded to her intent, recognizing loyalty and courage over fear.
"You're learning," Lucian murmured. "The hall bends to strength and will, not just fear."
Kade's grin faltered. His eyes narrowed, a flicker of frustration crossing his otherwise calm expression. "Interesting," he whispered. "Perhaps… the game is just beginning."
Elana squared her shoulders. "Then let it begin. We're not afraid of you—or the hall."
The crimson mist swirled violently as if the Hidden Heart itself was reacting, eager for the next trial.
Lucian's hand found hers, steady and grounding. "Together," he said.
"Together," Elana echoed, feeling the pulse of their bond stronger than ever, ready to face whatever Kade and the hall threw at them next.
The shadows shifted. Kade's presence lingered, but for now, they had held their ground.
The trial of Kade's shadow had begun—and Elana would not falter.
---