A New Feeling
981 Words
Kayla's POV
Elena acknowledged Solem with a nod.
"I did not know this realm existed," she said.
"We do not permit many from the outside world to enter," Solem replied. "How have you come here? Those not born of this realm are reduced to ash the moment they arrive."
"I am channeling the energy of my bloodline," Elena explained. "I am a child of the Moon Goddess." The cocoon of soft blue light around her seemed to pulse gently as she said it, as though confirming her words.
"I know of your realm," Solem said. "My father taught me much about the spirit realms — yours and the others." He studied her a moment longer, then seemed satisfied.
"Indeed," Elena said simply.
I was still trying to absorb all of it. I found a chair and sat down heavily.
"Kayla," Elena said, turning to me. "You have people worried about you. We did not understand why you had not woken, but now I do. Do not remain separated from your body for too long. I have traveled to the Moon Spirit Realm myself, and more than twenty-four hours away from one's body can cause permanent damage. You are already weak."
"I don't know how to get back," I admitted. Dr. Lauren had probably not left my side since I went under — that was just who she was.
"Take a breath and picture yourself drifting back to where your body is," Solem said. I nodded.
"I will return soon," I told Elena. She nodded.
"Could you bring Dr. Lauren here?" I asked. "I want her to know I'm all right."
Elena nodded. "I will be back shortly," she said — and then she was gone.
"The prophecy must be drawing near if you are already under the protection of the Moon Goddess's daughter," Solem said.
"Is this the same prophecy our parents died for?" I asked. He nodded.
"Tell me what it says," I told him. He opened his mouth to begin — and then I felt it, that same soft current of light energy. I turned, and there was Elena, with Dr. Lauren beside her, wrapped in a gentle shimmer of borrowed power.
"Lauren!" I crossed the room and threw my arms around her. She had saved my life. More than once.
"There you are," she said, pulling me close. "You gave me quite a scare."
"I'm sorry. I had only just figured out where I was — and who I am," I said, pulling back to look at her. I turned toward Solem. "Solem, this is Dr. Lauren. The one I told you about — the person who has been looking after me."
He stood and bowed to her. "Thank you for taking care of my sister," he said. Then he held her gaze a beat too long, and I caught something strange in his expression. I looked at Lauren. She was blushing.
I was about to say something when a sudden rush of energy swept through the room and two figures appeared. Both carrying the same unmistakable presence. I recognized them — they had been there just before I had lost consciousness. And I remembered what they had said. Mate.
Solem rose immediately, slipping back into a defensive stance, when Elena called out quickly: "My sons." He stood down.
I didn't mean to stare. But they were — there was no other word for it — stunning. Both the same height, jet-black hair, lean but clearly powerful in the way that came from years of training rather than trying. Black shirts, black jeans. They looked like something out of a myth. I was already moving toward them before I realized it, and they were watching me with an intensity that made heat rise to my face. I dropped my gaze quickly, embarrassed.
That was when I saw the fire.
Flames wrapped around my entire body — not violent, not destructive, just there, as though I had always been made of them. I screamed and stumbled back, trying to shake them off.
Solem was in front of me in an instant. The twins moved toward me as well, their faces tight with alarm, but Elena stepped in front of them with a firm hand. "Her brother," she said. They stopped.
Lauren watched with wide, worried eyes.
"Katiana." Solem's voice was low and steady. He looked directly into my eyes. "The fire will not hurt you." I forced myself to breathe. He was right — the flames were weightless, barely more than warmth, like energy moving through me rather than consuming me. I kept breathing until they faded and finally went out entirely. I let out a long breath and leaned into him.
"Thank you," I said. He held me for a moment.
He looked past me toward Elena. "You said these are your sons?"
"They are," she confirmed.
"They are your Sýntrofos," Solem said to me. I looked at him, lost.
"It is Greek for mate," he explained. "According to the prophecy, they are yours. Together, the three of you will be either the saviors or the destroyers of the world."
I stared at him. I glanced at the twins. They looked just as stunned as I felt. I heard Lauren draw a sharp breath behind me.
"There is a prophecy," I said slowly, addressing the twins. "One that led to the deaths of my birth parents — the King and Queen of this realm." I gave them the short version of what Solem had told me.
"What does the prophecy say?" both twins asked at the same time. I kept my eyes off them, still half-mortified about nearly walking straight into their arms a few minutes ago, and half desperate to finally hear the words Solem kept dancing around.
Solem nodded and drew a breath to speak — and then Lauren cried out. Her eyes had gone white.
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