David POV
Morning sunlight filtered through the tall windows of the study, dust motes drifting lazily through the golden beams. The ancient scrolls sprawled across David’s desk, their brittle pages heavy with secrets, felt more ominous today than ever. Hours of research had yielded fragments—warnings, symbols, half-translated prophecies—but no clear answers.
And every moment lost tightened the knot in his chest.
He leaned back in his chair, rubbing the tension from his temples. Mason’s footsteps faded down the hall, heading toward Alex and Riley. David had seen the determination in the boy’s eyes—raw, fierce, loyal. It eased something inside him… but only a little.
The prophecy.
The twins.
The shadow entity rising beyond the veil.
He had protected many in his lifetime, but this—this
