The night was unusually silent. Even the crickets seemed to hold their voices, as if the world itself was waiting for something dreadful to unfold. Adrian stood outside the small wooden hut, his senses sharpened. The air carried a heaviness he couldn't shake off.
Inside, Selena sat by the faint glow of the oil lamp, her face pale, her hands clutched tightly on her lap. She hadn't said a word since morning, but her silence screamed louder than any cry.
Adrian finally broke it.
"Selena," his tone was low, sharp, "what exactly is the Rael family hiding? Why do their shadows stretch this far?"
Her lips trembled. She opened her mouth, but before words could escape, a sudden noise cracked through the stillness—like branches snapping under heavy boots.
Adrian's eyes narrowed. His hand instantly moved to the scroll resting at his side. That sound… it wasn't an animal.
Selena's face drained of all color. She whispered, her voice barely audible, "They've found me…"
The door rattled with a harsh knock, followed by a voice cold enough to freeze blood.
"Open the door, girl. The Rael family has come to take back what belongs to us."
Adrian's heartbeat slowed, not from fear, but from the dangerous calm before battle. He glanced at Selena. "Is this the shadow you've been running from?"
Tears glistened in her eyes. "It's worse. If they're here, they won't leave until one of us is dead."
The door creaked as another blow landed, harder this time. Adrian tightened his grip on the scroll, feeling the strange pulse of power within. His vow echoed in his mind—revenge, strength, survival.
The shadow of the Rael family had arrived. And Adrian was ready to face it.
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Author's Note:
🔥 The Rael family has finally made their move! What do you think will happen next—can Adrian protect Selena and the scroll, or will the Rael family's shadow overwhelm them? Thank you for helping me reach 1.5k views—your support means everything! Keep reading, commenting, and sharing. 🙏✨