Chapter 19– Shadows in the North
A Quiet Morning in Hollowfen
Hollowfen glowed under warm morning sunlight. Merchants opened stalls, children played near the wells, and the smell of fresh bread drifted through the air. It was peaceful… almost too peaceful.
Selene sat near the guild hall entrance, fingers wrapped around a cup of tea she had barely touched.
A cold sensation prickled at the back of her neck.
Her sister's presence.
Faint… but undeniably real.
She hid the tremor in her hands just as Rito and Kin approached.
"Lady Selene, you look pale," Rito said softly.
Selene set her cup down with a quiet smile.
"I'm fine, dear. Just… thinking."
But her golden eyes continued drifting toward the forest.
She could feel a storm brewing.
News From the North
In the courtyard, X stood with Zak and several members of the hybrid pack. Their faces were grim, tension running through their bodies like drawn bowstrings.
Zak crossed his arms.
"We found another village north of Hollowfen. Slaughtered. Not witches. Not demons."
A hybrid stepped forward and handed X a blood-stained scrap of fur.
X's expression darkened.
"Werewolves."
Zak nodded.
"Coordinated ones. They left tracks like a military unit. This isn't feral behavior."
X's jaw tightened.
The past was catching up to him.
"If they're moving south… we don't have time."
Zak looked at him expectantly.
"When do we leave?"
Before X could answer, Blue, Rito, Kin, and Gus ran over, breathless.
"Dad! Is it true?" Blue demanded.
X placed a heavy hand on his son's shoulder.
"Yes. And that's why you're staying here."
Blue's eyes widened in frustration.
"But we can help—"
"No," X cut in. "Werewolves aren't like demons. They're worse. They're smart. Organized. Brutal. You're strong, Blue… but not ready for this."
Kin and Rito exchanged determined looks.
Gus silently lowered his head, guilt and fear mixing inside him.
Selene stepped up beside X, calm but firm.
"Your father's right. This enemy is ancient. And cruel."
Blue clenched his fists, fighting the urge to argue. But in the end, he nodded.
Zak stepped closer.
"We'll handle this. You kids keep Hollowfen safe."
A Spy Walks Among Them
As X prepared to leave, a woman with silver hair strolled through the marketplace, blending effortlessly among the townsfolk.
To the humans, she was a traveling herbalist.
To most hybrids, she was just another vampire.
To Selene… she was a threat.
Selene's eyes tracked her from across the square.
The spy felt the gaze and swallowed, casually turning away while activating the enchanted earring hidden behind her hair.
"My Queen… she sensed me today. Lady Selene knows."
Far away, deep within the Crimson Court's citadel, Selene's twin sister reclined on a throne bathed in scarlet light. Her voice slithered through the connection.
"Of course she knows. We share blood. But now is not the time to strike."
The spy hesitated.
"But X is leaving Hollowfen. He'll be gone for days. This is the—"
The queen's tone became razor-sharp.
"If Selene has not fled, it means she is prepared.
Do nothing."
A long pause.
"Watch the boy."
The spy swallowed nervously.
"Yes… my Queen."
X Departs
Zak's pack lined up at the forest's edge. The air hummed with hybrid power as X tightened his gauntlets.
He turned to his son one last time.
"Blue… I need you here. Protect Hollowfen. Protect your friends."
Blue nodded reluctantly.
Rito smiled softly.
"We'll train while you're gone."
Kin slapped his fist into his palm.
"We'll be stronger when you get back."
Gus simply murmured,
"I'll try not to screw up again."
X gave a rare, small grin.
"Good. I'm counting on you."
In a burst of speed, X and Zak's group vanished into the northern trees.
Selene's Secret
Selene returned to her chamber, closing the door behind her. Her breathing steadied as she rested a hand against the cold windowpane.
There — beyond the forest — she felt it again.
Her sister.
Her twin.
Her darkest mirror.
She wants Blue. She wants the heir of Hollowfen's hybrid line.
Selene clenched her teeth.
"Not this time… sister.
You won't take him from me."
But she told no one.
Not X.
Not Blue.
Not even her closest allies.
The storm was coming.
And Selene braced herself to face it alone.