Marked by vengeance

Chapter thirteen

The Truth About the Seal

Lydia’s breath came out uneven as she stared at Kael.

“What do you mean it’s inside me?” she whispered.

Kael didn’t soften his expression. “Exactly what I said.”

The hunters had stopped moving, watching her closely now like she was something fragile… or dangerous.

One of them spoke again. “The seal doesn’t just mark you. It binds something to you.”

Lydia shook her head quickly. “No. I would feel it. I would know.”

“You don’t,” Kael said quietly. “Not until it starts waking up.”

Her wrist burned sharply again, forcing a gasp out of her.

She clutched it, eyes wide. “This… this is not normal.”

Kael grabbed her wrist gently, steadying it. “That’s why they’re here.”

The hunter smiled faintly. “Once it fully awakens, she won’t belong to herself anymore.”

Lydia’s stomach dropped.

Kael’s voice turned colder. “Step closer and you die.”

Silence followed.

Lydia looked between them, fear rising in her chest. “Kael… what is inside me?”

For a moment, he hesitated.

Then he said the one thing she wasn’t ready for.

“Something even hunters can’t control.”