What the Past Refuses to Bury
751 Words
Morning settled over the Nightfang stronghold without bringing any sense of calm. The red moon had faded, yet something of its presence remained, as though the night had left a mark that daylight could not erase. The forest felt quieter than it should have, and the stillness carried a weight that pressed against the senses.
Kael stood at the edge of the trees, his gaze fixed on the horizon as mist slowly lifted from the ground. He had not slept, nor had he tried to. Sleep meant silence, and silence allowed memories to return too easily.
Behind him, the sound of approaching footsteps broke the quiet. He did not turn immediately.
“You have a habit of disappearing,” Ronan said as he stepped beside him.
Kael glanced at him briefly. “I prefer quiet.”
Ronan studied him. “Or you prefer not to be watched.”
“That too.”
A short silence passed before Ronan spoke again.
“I found her.”
Kael’s focus sharpened. “Where?”
“In the forest. Alone.”
Kael frowned slightly. “That does not make sense.”
“It did not feel like an attack,” Ronan continued. “If anything, she allowed me to find her.”
Kael’s jaw tightened. “And you spoke to her.”
“I did.”
Kael held his gaze. “Then you already know she is not what she appears to be.”
Ronan crossed his arms. “She did not seem like a threat.”
Kael exhaled quietly. “That is exactly why she is one.”
Ronan’s expression sharpened. “You know her.”
Kael hesitated. “I knew her.”
“That sounds like a difference that matters.”
“It does,” Kael said. “More than you understand.”
Ronan watched him closely. “Then explain it.”
Kael looked back towards the forest. “She is tied to whatever the vampires are planning. She is not just part of it. She is central to it.”
“And yet you hesitate,” Ronan said. “Why?”
Kael did not answer immediately. “Because things are never simple where she is concerned.”
Far beyond the stronghold, Seraphina moved through the forest once more, her steps quiet against the earth. She had told herself she would not return, yet the thought had lingered, impossible to ignore.
She slowed as she reached the clearing, her senses alert.
“You came back.”
The voice stopped her instantly.
Seraphina turned.
Kael stepped from the shadows, his presence controlled, though something in his expression had shifted.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them felt heavy.
“You should not be here,” she said.
“Neither should you,” he replied.
“That has never stopped either of us.”
Kael stepped closer. “You are making dangerous choices.”
“So are you.”
“That is different.”
“Is it?”
The question lingered.
Kael exhaled slowly. “You should go back.”
“And pretend nothing has changed?”
“It would be safer.”
“For who?”
Kael did not answer.
Seraphina studied him, something softer breaking through. “You left without a word,” she said. “You disappeared.”
Kael’s expression tightened. “I did what I had to.”
“You always do.”
There was no anger in her voice, only something quieter.
“You do not understand,” he said.
“Then explain it.”
Kael shook his head. “I cannot.”
Seraphina let out a small breath. “Then nothing has changed.”
Kael’s gaze darkened. “Everything has changed.”
Before she could respond, another presence entered the clearing.
Ronan stepped forward, his gaze moving between them.
“So this is her,” he said.
Seraphina turned to him. “And you must be the one who followed me.”
Ronan stepped closer. “You should not be here.”
“That seems to be a common opinion.”
“It is not an opinion,” Ronan said. “It is a fact.”
The tension between them tightened.
Kael stepped forward. “Enough.”
Both of them stilled.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Seraphina broke the silence.
“This is not over,” she said.
Ronan held her gaze. “No. It is not.”
Kael said nothing, but his expression made one thing clear.
Nothing about this would be simple.
- Writer
