I sat on the edge of the bed.
Everything around me felt soft too fancy. Not like my stuff.
The silk sheets felt smooth under my fingers. The chandelier above sparkled like it was in a ballroom, not my bedroom. My room. If I could even call it that. Looked like something from a fantasy book. There were velvet armchairs and a marble fireplace that was lit. I didn't see anyone light it. No clocks, no windows, no phone.
No Maggie.
No Mom.
*What's this place?*
I hugged myself tight to calm down. The pendant around my neck felt cool and comforting. Like it knew something I didn't. Like it was waiting for me to figure it out.
I kept seeing his face.
The man from my dream.
From the ritual.
My throat was dry. My thoughts were over the place. I felt like I was floating above my body.
"I have to get out of here."
I got up. Put my feet on the cold marble floor. I moved slowly and carefully to the door near the fireplace. I didn't know what to expect. Guards, chains, a lock.. The doorknob turned easily.
The hallway was amazing.
It wasn't a hallway. It was like a dream. High ceilings, golden lights and tall windows with velvet curtains. A grand staircase curved down like something from a palace.
People.... More. Moving quietly down below. Men and women dressed in black and gray like shadows. Their faces were calm. Not surprised to see me.
I felt like I'd stepped into another world.
My breath caught as I touched the banister. The wood felt warm and old. My fingers brushed it.... Something strange happened.
The lights above flickered.
Just for a second.
I pulled my hand back.
*Did I imagine that?*
I looked around. No one else reacted. I felt something inside me like static. Like pressure beneath my skin. Like a storm trying to wake up.
I pressed my palm to the banister again. Just to test it.
The chandelier above pulsed.
Once. Brightly.
I pulled away my heart pounding. *What was that?*
I didn't have time to think about it.
Because from down the corridor I heard footsteps.
Deliberate.
Unhurried.
A woman appeared, walking like a queen.
She looked twenty or so. Carried herself like royalty. Tall elegant dressed in shimmering silk. Her silver hair was twisted into a knot. Her heels echoed softly as she walked. Her gaze landed on me with a look.
Not mean... Sharp. Measuring.
She stopped a steps away her lips curving slightly.
"You must be Halia."
I blinked. "How do you know my name?"
She didn't answer. Instead she studied me like a jeweler examining a gem.
"I wondered what kind of girl he would choose " she murmured. "I imagined someone louder. Softer... No. Halia you'll do."
I stiffened. "Who are you and who is he?"
Her smile deepened,. Didn't reach her eyes. "You may call me Selora. You're safe here Halia. That's all you need to know. For. I mean it Halia."
*Safe.*
The word hit something deep in my chest. I wanted to believe it. I wanted to fall into it and disappear.
Something in her tone said otherwise. Like she knew things I didn't. Like *everyone* here knew things I didn't.
My voice came out quieter than I intended. "Where *am* I?"
Selora glanced toward the staircase. "A place between. Not quite yours. Not quite ours. Halia it's a place."
She continued smoothly "You were taken because my son claimed you Halia. That's all."
Wait. *What*?
*Did she just say her son?* She looked too young to be a mom.
As if reading my mind Selora offered a smile. "I know it's hard to believe. Yes.
"What's his name?" I asked, swallowing hard after hearing about the one who kidnapped me.
Her eyes sparkled. "He's not someone you name easily girl. Not someone you forget either. You'll know him when you see him Halia."
No answers. Only riddles.
I turned away shaking my head. I had nowhere to go. No idea where I was. No idea who I could trust.
Selora gestured toward the staircase. "You may explore, if you wish. Know this. You're watched. Protected. Can't escape this place, Halia. Don't mistake the three."
With that she disappeared down another hallway her heels clicking against the marble floor.
I stood there trembling.
Everything in me screamed to panic. To scream. To fight.
Something else. Stranger. Kept me grounded.
A warmth beneath my skin. A pulse in my palms.
That flicker of light when I touched the railing.
*Like something inside me is waking up Halia.*
*What are you?* I thought, staring down at my hands.
For the second I swore I saw a soft shimmer ripple across my skin.
Like moonlight.
Like magic.
Then it was gone.
Just, like everything I thought I understood.