Ava's heels clicked on cobblestones as she backed toward Astrum Antiques. Elian's green eyes pinned her, unblinking. _The other green-eyed one…_ Her mind spun.
"Let's talk," Elian said, voice low and smooth. No accent—just a command.
Ava's knife was out, trembling. "I don't think so."
Lucas (Storm-cloud) chuckled, a wicked glint in his eyes. "Ava, put the knife away. We won't hurt… you." _Yet._
Elian shot him a glance. _Shut up, Lucas._
Ava edged sideways toward the shop door. Locked. The email said _don't come_—what trap was this?
"I've waited centuries, Ava," Elian said, stalking closer. "You're… rare."
Ava's pulse roared. "What do you want?"
"To show you something." Elian nodded at the shop. The door swung open, shadows spilling out like ink. "Inside."
Ava raised her knife. "No."
Lucas sighed, stepping forward. "Ava, listen—"
Elian's hand shot out, stopping Lucas cold. "I'll handle this."
In the silence, Ava heard _whispers_. Books rustling, pages turning… a heartbeat.
"They're calling you," Elian murmured. "The books in there… they want you."
Ava's fingers tingled. She _felt_ it—a pull, like threads tied to her chest. Curiosity cut deeper than fear.
"Okay," she whispered. "I'll go in."
Elian smiled, sharp canines gleaming. Lucas scrowned.
The shop swallowed them whole. Inside, it was midnight-dark, scented with old leather and… blood?
"This way," Elian said, guiding her by the elbow. Ava's knife stayed out.
They stopped at a velvet-draped table. A single book lay open, pages glowing faintly.
"The _Liber Nocturna_," Elian said. "Collectors would pay fortunes for this. But it… chose you."
Ava's breath caught. The book pulsed with power. _Her_ power?
"Chose me?" she echoed.
Lucas leaned in. "It's a blood-bound book. Only one with… your gift… can unlock it."
Ava's head spun. _Gift?_
Elian's eyes burned. "You restore books. But you _create_ power. The _Liber_ wants you to… rewrite it."
Ava's fingers hovered over the pages. _Rewrite what?_
The whispers grew loud. _Write… rewrite…_
"Deal," she whispered.
Elian's smile turned feral. "Good. In return… I'll erase your past."
Ava's heart pounded. _What's the cost?_
Lucas grabbed her arm. "Elian, don't—"
Elian snarled, throwing Lucas back. "Stay out, brother."
Ava's knife trembled. _What have I done?_