Night fell faster than Seren expected.
By the time they returned to the mansion, the sky was already dark, heavy clouds hanging low as if they knew something terrible was about to happen. The gates closed behind the convoy with a deep metallic sound that echoed through Seren's chest. It felt final, like a door slamming shut on the life she once knew.
Inside, the mansion was alive with tension. Guards doubled their positions. Phones buzzed constantly. People spoke in low voices, stopping the moment Seren or Alaric passed by.
Rowan was taken to a secure room under guard. Alaric gave strict orders that no one was allowed to see him without permission. Seren noticed the way Alaric's jaw tightened as Rowan was led away. Trust, once broken, never healed the same.
"You did the right thing," Alaric said as they walked toward his study.
Seren didn't answer right away. Her head was full. The Circle. The infiltration. The names on that list. Too many thoughts, all fighting for space.
"I don't know if there's a 'right' anymore," she said finally.
Alaric stopped and turned to her. "There is. Survival."
---
Inside the study, the lights were dim. Maps covered one wall. Screens glowed softly, showing live feeds from different locations. Seren had been in this room many times, but tonight it felt different. War room. That was the word that came to her mind.
Alaric placed the folder Rowan had brought on the desk and opened it again. He studied each page slowly, carefully, as if memorizing every detail.
"They've been patient," he said. "Too patient."
Seren leaned against the desk. "They wanted us comfortable. Distracted."
"Yes. And they almost succeeded."
Alaric looked at her then. Really looked at her. "You've changed," he said.
"So have you."
A brief silence settled between them.
"You move faster now," he continued. "You question more. You don't wait for permission."
Seren crossed her arms. "You didn't bring me into this world to stay quiet."
"No," he admitted. "I didn't."
---
Later that night, Seren couldn't sleep. The mansion was quiet, but her mind wasn't. She replayed everything again and again. Rowan's face. The list of traitors. The warning message.
WATCH.
She slipped out of bed and walked the halls barefoot. The cold marble floor grounded her, reminded her she was still real, still alive.
She stopped near the east wing when she heard voices.
Low. Urgent.
Seren froze.
She moved closer, pressing herself against the wall. Two guards stood near a side door, speaking in hushed tones.
"It's tonight," one said.
"Are you sure?"
"She's already inside the walls. Once Vale moves, the Circle moves."
Seren's heart slammed against her ribs.
Inside the walls.
She stepped back silently and turned, moving quickly but carefully toward Alaric's study.
---
Alaric was still awake. He looked up the moment she entered.
"They're moving," Seren said. "Tonight."
His expression didn't change, but the air around him did. "How do you know?"
She told him what she heard. Every word. Every detail.
Alaric nodded slowly. "Then it's sooner than expected."
"You're not surprised."
"I stopped being surprised a long time ago."
He stood and reached for his jacket. "This is where trust becomes a weapon. And fear becomes a mistake."
Seren swallowed. "What do you need me to do?"
Alaric paused. This time, the silence felt heavy.
"I need you to be visible," he said. "They're watching you. Use that."
Seren stiffened. "You want me to bait them."
"Yes."
"You said one mistake could get me killed."
"And I won't let you make one."
She searched his face for doubt, but found none. Only certainty.
"Fine," she said. "But I do it my way."
A corner of his mouth lifted. "I wouldn't expect anything else."
---
The mansion lights dimmed slightly around midnight. A deliberate choice. The kind that made intruders nervous.
Seren changed into a simple black dress and tied her hair back. No weapons. No armor. Just confidence and calm steps.
She walked into the main hall alone.
Cameras tracked her. She could feel it. Could almost feel the eyes behind the screens.
She sat on one of the sofas and picked up a glass of water, letting her hands stay steady. Letting the silence stretch.
Minutes passed.
Then the power flickered.
Once.
Twice.
And then the lights went out completely.
Seren didn't move.
Footsteps echoed softly across the floor.
"You're brave," a voice said from the darkness. Female. Calm. Familiar in a way that made Seren uneasy.
"Or stupid," Seren replied.
Lights snapped back on.
A woman stood across from her, dressed in gray, her expression cool and unreadable.
"I'm Mara," the woman said. "The Circle sends its regards."
Seren stood slowly. "You broke into a billionaire's home to say hello?"
Mara smiled faintly. "We broke in to remind you where you belong."
"I know exactly where I belong."
"Do you?" Mara tilted her head. "You're standing between two worlds. And both will crush you if you choose wrong."
Guards flooded the hall then, weapons raised.
Mara didn't react.
"You won't touch me," she said calmly. "Not tonight."
Alaric stepped out from the shadows. "You're very confident for someone surrounded."
Mara turned to him. "You taught us well."
That landed like a punch.
Seren's breath caught. "You trained her?"
Alaric didn't answer.
Mara smiled wider. "See? Secrets everywhere."
She took a step back. "This was a warning. Next time, it won't be."
And just like that, she was gone. Smoke filled the hall, alarms blared, and chaos erupted.
When it cleared, Mara was nowhere to be seen.
---
Later, when the mansion had settled again, Seren sat alone in her room, shaking hands clasped tightly together.
Trust is a weapon.
She finally understood.
Alaric stood in the doorway. "You did well."
"She knew you," Seren said. "That wasn't nothing."
"No," he agreed. "It wasn't."
Seren looked up at him. "How many more secrets are you hiding?"
He didn't answer.
And that silence told her everything.
The war had stepped fully into the open.
And this time, no one would escape unchanged.