The morning sun filtered through the wooden shutters, casting slanted beams across the modest room. Celine stirred from a restless sleep, her mind still haunted by fragments of blood and howls that didn't belong to her dreams.
A soft knock sounded at her door.
"Celine," her mother's voice came, low and hesitant. "Wake up, dear. There's… something you need to see."
Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, Celine sat up, immediately sensing something was wrong. Her mother stood at the doorway, clutching a sealed envelope with the royal crest — or so it appeared. Her eyes were distant, troubled.
"What is it?" Celine asked, rising.
Her mother handed her the envelope wordlessly. Celine broke the seal and read.
A royal summons. She was to appear in the capital for an audience — under the pretense of further evaluation regarding her bloodline awakening.
But her mother's expression spoke volumes more than the letter did.
"It came this morning," she said softly. "It… doesn't feel right. You must be careful, Celine."
Celine looked up sharply. "Is this from the King himself?"
Her mother hesitated. "That's what it claims. But I fear the Council of Elders is behind it."
A long pause stretched between them. Then her mother stepped forward, brushing back Celine's hair with trembling fingers. "Take Darian with you," she said. "Promise me that."
"I promise," Celine replied.
Before she departed, her mother pointed to the silver moon pendant resting against her chest — one she had worn since childhood.
"Don't lose this. No matter what happens, keep it close."
Celine nodded, the weight of the pendant now heavier than ever.
---
They rode through the forests toward the capital, Darian at her side, expression unreadable beneath his dark cloak. The journey was swift and silent.
Upon arrival, they were escorted to a secluded part of the citadel — not the royal court, but the Elder Hall. Celine's unease deepened.
The chamber was dim, lit by the cold flicker of rune torches. Five elders waited in a semicircle. One stepped forward — Elder Varn, known for his control over wind and storm. His eyes were sharp, assessing.
"We've heard rumors," Varn said. "About a red light, the night of your ceremony."
Celine stiffened. "It was nothing."
"We will decide that."
Before she could protest, the ritual began. Runes flared beneath her feet. Energy surged. Pain exploded in her chest — and something ancient stirred.
A blood-red glow pulsed behind her eyes.
Then… a voice.
"You are mine, child of my blood."
Darkness fell.
---