The storm didn't come with thunder or fire.
It came with silence—cold and creeping, like frost under the floorboards.
Cain noticed it first. He always did.
He stood at the edge of the manor's high balcony, staring at the dark treetops below. The wind felt heavier, the shadows stretched longer than they should. Selene joined him quietly, slipping her arm around his waist.
"You feel it too," she murmured.
He nodded slowly. "Something's watching. Something old."
Back inside, the others were lounging in what they had started calling the Sanity Room—a cozy converted study with mismatched chairs, throw pillows, and Leo's ridiculous fairy lights tangled around a demon skull lamp.
Eren, sprawled upside-down on the couch, was attempting to read a prophecy scroll using a monocle he stole from a vampire merchant.
"This line says something about… a 'winged curse born of ash.' Cool, huh?"
Eira snatched the scroll. "You read that upside-down. It says 'war-born path shall clash.'"
Leo, sipping tea, raised a brow. "Either way, it sounds like we're in trouble."
Their mother, Amara, entered with slow, graceful steps. Her hair was no longer dull from slumber—raven-black, cascading like flowing ink. Power pulsed softly around her.
"Boys," she said gently, but there was weight in her tone. "They're coming."
Silence fell.
She moved to the center of the room and placed her hand on a glowing orb. Shadows danced inside it like whispers trying to escape.
Selene stepped forward. "Who?"
Amara exhaled. "The Forsaken Court. Exiles who swore vengeance on your father… and you, his blood."
Eren blinked. "Why does every cool villain have a dramatic name?"
Leo nudged him. "Because calling them 'Dave and the Lads' isn't as terrifying."
Cain ignored them. "How soon?"
"Soon enough," Amara answered. "They've sent a scout. He's already near."
Cain turned to Eren. "Double the perimeter spells. Leo, reinforce the gate. Eira—"
"I'll handle the weapons cache," she said, already moving. "And stop Selene from trying to stab anyone without a plan."
"Hey!" Selene glared. "I'm precise."
Eren mumbled, "Emotionally, maybe."
Selene threw a pillow at his head.
As the group split into motion, the air thickened with purpose. For the first time in weeks, the brothers were united not just by blood, but by urgency.
Later that night, as they regrouped in the war room, maps and sigils spread before them, a strange thing happened.
Laughter.
Not the chaotic kind they were known for—but tired, real, human laughter.
Leo had accidentally summoned a mini raincloud above his head while trying to activate a protective rune.
"I swear to the moon, I just tapped it gently—"
PSSSHHHH.
Everyone jumped as the cloud zapped him with a tiny bolt.
Eira giggled. "That's what you get for trying magic while sipping wine."
Selene smiled softly. "God, you're all disasters."
Cain leaned close, whispering, "Beautiful disasters."
She looked up at him, warmth rising in her chest. "You're the worst one."
"I try."
Their moment broke when Amara returned, her face serious. "They've made contact. The scout's name is Thorne."
The name sucked the air out of the room.
"Thorne?" Leo asked. "As in—?"
"Yes," Amara said quietly. "Your father's first betrayer. And my brother."
Everyone stared.
Selene's eyes widened. "He's your…?"
"My twin," Amara whispered. "And if he's here, it means war is not coming. It has already begun."