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Selena's POV
The Vault of Origin was silent, as if holding its breath.
Selena stood still in the center of the circle of runes, the markings on the ground glowing softly beneath her feet. The temperature had dropped, yet a bead of sweat rolled down her temple. The truth about her mother — the blood pact, the forbidden love, and the betrayal that shattered an entire generation — still rang in her ears like a cursed lullaby.
Zack stood to her right, arms crossed, watching her like she was a fragile star ready to implode. Alaïra, Tovian, and Nyra lingered behind, wary but present. No one dared speak.
Not yet.
In the silence, Selena knelt and placed her hand over the ancient sigil burned into the stone. It pulsed at her touch, red and gold light flickering to life like a sleeping dragon awakened.
The Vault responded.
Walls shimmered, revealing visions hidden in the seams of time. Bloodlines stretched across them — tangled, cursed, divine. And there, etched into the vision, was KLADE.
Tall. Feral. Eyes like blackened embers. Not a natural werewolf. A mutation. A man who made himself one through dark rites and ancient elixirs — fueled by obsession, not destiny.
"That's him," Selena murmured. "That's my father."
Zack's brows furrowed. "You're sure?"
She nodded, rising to her feet slowly, the light still swirling around her. "The Vault doesn't lie. My mother… she chose him. Even after what he became."
"But why?" Nyra asked. "Why would Lysandra, Queen of the Highborn, lay with a creature like that?"
Selena turned to them, voice steady. "Because power was never clean. And love… love doesn't follow laws."
Tovian stepped forward. "Then what are you, Selena? Not fully vampire. Not fully human. And if your father is… that… then…"
"I'm something else," she said, with no hint of fear. "Something they feared would come."
The walls of the Vault cracked open suddenly — revealing a hidden chamber beyond. Firelight danced within it, and a single object floated above an obsidian pedestal: a flame-shaped amulet, flickering with life.
"The Binding Flame," whispered Alaïra, reverently. "It can only be claimed by the one who walks all three bloods — human, vampire, and… beast."
Selena's heartbeat echoed in her ears. She stepped forward, slowly reaching out. The amulet pulsed — red, then gold, then dark silver.
Her fingers touched it.
Pain.
Flashes.
A kingdom in fire. A woman screaming her name. A beast's howl in the dark.
Selena gasped but did not let go.
She clenched her jaw and forced herself to hold on.
And then…
The amulet melted into her skin, branding her collarbone with a glowing mark.
The Vault went still.
Zack ran to her. "Selena! Are you okay?"
She breathed hard, but her voice was calm.
"I've accepted it. I'm not just lost. I'm chosen."
Behind her, the vault rumbled again — not in warning this time, but invitation.
One last journey awaited.
A narrow path opened behind the pedestal — carved with markings of wolves.
Selena turned to the group. "It's time we meet what lies beyond the veil."
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