Rain began to drizzle against the café windows. The soft patter matched the rhythm of Elizabeth's racing heart. She sat silently, staring at Lucas, trying to make sense of the tangled feelings inside her.
"I… I don't understand myself," she whispered. "Why do I feel both drawn to him and afraid at the same time?"
Lucas held her hand tightly. "I know… his mystery is extraordinary. But no matter what happens, I will always be by your side."
At that moment, the café door opened. A tall, dark-haired man entered, calm yet exuding a charisma that seemed to stop time.
Seraphim.
His eyes met Elizabeth's with a mixture of familiarity and pain. She felt as if the world had paused, her mind swirling with questions and an irresistible pull.
"We meet again… Elizabeth," he said, his voice soft yet commanding.
"You… how do you know me?" she asked, trembling.
He simply smiled mysteriously. "Some things… have bound us together… whether you like it or not."
Elizabeth's heart quivered. She knew her path was about to change forever, and the blood oath she didn't fully understand was demanding a choice she could no longer avoid.