The Last Veylorn

The Bloodhound Secret

The museum was quiet that evening.

Most of the employees had already gone home.

Elena remained in the restricted archives, surrounded by old books and documents.

She couldn't stop thinking about the silver symbol.

It had appeared on the mysterious letter.

It had appeared on the ancient book.

And now...

It was carved into the corner of an old wooden box sitting on the archive shelf.

Elena carefully pulled the box down.

It was heavier than it looked.

She placed it on the table and examined the lock.

There was no keyhole.

Instead, there was a small circular mark in the center.

The same silver symbol.

"What are you hiding?"

She ran her finger over it.

The moment she touched the symbol, a sharp pain shot through her palm.

"Ah!"

She pulled her hand back.

A tiny drop of blood had appeared on her finger.

It fell onto the symbol.

The box suddenly clicked.

Elena froze.

Slowly...

The lid opened.

Inside was a single black envelope.

Her heart began beating faster.

She reached for it.

Before she could open it-

"Elena."

She nearly jumped.

She turned around.

Lucien stood at the entrance.

"What are you doing here?"

He looked past her.

His eyes immediately fell on the open box.

His expression changed.

"Where did you find that?"

"On the shelf."

Lucien walked toward her.

"Don't touch it."

Elena frowned.

"Why?"

"Because you don't know what it is."

"Then tell me."

Lucien stopped.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Elena picked up the envelope.

"You know what this is."

Lucien's jaw tightened.

"I know enough to tell you that you shouldn't open it."

She stared at him.

"Every time I ask you about something strange, you tell me to stay away."

"Because I'm trying to protect you."

"From what?"

Lucien looked into her eyes.

"From me."

Elena's expression softened.

"Lucien..."

He looked away.

"You need to go home."

She shook her head.

"Not until you tell me the truth."

For a moment, Lucien almost told her.

Almost.

Then a sound came from the hallway.

Both of them turned.

Footsteps.

Someone was walking toward the archive.

Lucien immediately took the envelope from Elena.

"Stay behind me."

The footsteps stopped.

Silence.

Lucien opened the door.

The hallway was empty.

He looked down.

A small piece of black fabric lay on the floor.

Lucien picked it up.

His expression darkened.

He knew that material.

Someone had been inside the museum.

Someone who shouldn't have been there.

---

Across the street, Adien stood beneath the shadow of a building.

His eyes were fixed on the museum.

He had seen someone enter earlier.

But he wasn't watching Elena.

He was watching the person who had entered the museum after her.

His expression remained cold.

"Not yet..."

He quietly walked away.

He had no intention of approaching Lucien.

Not now.

Not when Lucien still believed he was the enemy.

---

Inside the museum, Lucien returned to Elena.

"Did you see anyone?"

"No."

"Good."

He placed the envelope inside his coat.

Elena noticed.

"You're keeping it."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because whatever is inside that envelope..."

He paused.

"...was never meant for you to find."

Elena stared at him.

"Then why did it open when my blood touched it?"

Lucien froze.

For the first time...

Elena saw genuine fear in his eyes.

Not fear for himself.

Fear for her.

"Your blood..."

He whispered.

"What?"

Lucien stepped closer.

"Elena, has anything strange happened to you recently?"

She thought about it.

"The dreams."

Lucien's face changed.

"What dreams?"

"The same one I've been having."

She looked at him.

"A man standing in a burning forest."

Lucien went completely still.

"What does he look like?"

"I can't see his face."

Elena hesitated.

"But there's always one thing."

"What?"

"His eyes."

Lucien's voice became almost a whisper.

"What color?"

Elena looked at him.

"Red."

Lucien stepped back.

For centuries, he had believed the curse was his alone.

But now...

Something had changed.

Something he could not explain.

He looked at Elena.

And for the first time, a terrifying possibility entered his mind.

Perhaps she wasn't simply the girl destined to break his curse.

Perhaps...

She was connected to it.