the rain had just begun to fall, a soft drizzle misting the cobbled streets of Black Hollow. Lanterns flickered against the gloom, their golden glow bleeding into the thickening fog.
Miles stood in the covered alley behind the old apothecary, his hood drawn low, watching the light in Elena's window from across the square. He didn't move. Not when she leaned against the sill, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the condensation. Not even when Dorian stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
His stomach twisted.
Every time.
But not for much longer.
"You've been watching too long," Liora whispered, emerging from the shadows at his side. Her eyes gleamed with sly amusement. "If you want her back, it's time to act."
Miles didn't respond. He kept his eyes on Elena's silhouette, on the way she smiled up at Dorian like she belonged nowhere else.
"She used to smile at you like that," Liora continued, her tone velvety smooth. "Before he poisoned her with that ancient magic."
"I know," Miles said softly. "And I'm going to remind her who she really is."
Liora raised a brow. "How poetic. And how exactly will you do that?"
Miles reached into his coat and pulled out a small crystal vial glowing faintly with red light.
"The Spell of Resonance," he said. "It won't break their bond outright… but it'll make her doubt it. Doubt him. For a short time, their connection will falter—like a signal being jammed. If she's vulnerable in that window…"
"She may turn to you instead," Liora finished with a pleased grin. "Clever."
Miles finally looked at her. "I want to be the one she trusts again. The one she runs to."
"And if she doesn't?" Liora asked, voice low.
"I'll make her forget him."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then Liora nodded approvingly.
"Tomorrow night, during the Ember Hour. That's when the spell will be strongest."
Miles nodded and tucked the vial away. "I'll get her alone. Just for a few minutes. That's all I'll need."
The Next Day — Sanctuary Garden
Elena wandered the garden path with a small bouquet of herbs in her hand, trying to concentrate on the healing rituals Dorian had been teaching her. But something felt…off.
Not wrong. Just strange.
She touched her forehead and blinked hard. Her thoughts kept slipping, as if something in her mind refused to settle.
Dorian noticed.
He always did.
"You feel it too," he murmured, brushing her hair back and kissing her temple. "The air's been different since morning."
Elena nodded. "It's like… something's pulling at me. Like I'm forgetting something important, but it's just out of reach."
He took her hand. "It could be interference. Someone is trying to disrupt us."
Elena's eyes flicked toward the path leading back into the woods. "Do you think it's… Miles?"
Dorian's face darkened slightly, but he didn't lie. "He hasn't let go of you. And now that your powers are waking up… there's more at stake."
She squeezed his hand tighter. "I don't want to be used."
"You won't be," Dorian said firmly. "I'll burn down the world before I let that happen."
Later That Evening — Ember Hour
The sun dipped low, casting long golden shadows through the forest as Elena walked alone to the edge of the Sanctuary, drawn by the strange hum in her chest. Her thoughts felt fuzzier now, like a mist had crept in and refused to leave.
A twig snapped behind her.
She turned—and found Miles standing a few feet away.
"Hey," he said, smiling carefully. "I was hoping I'd find you."
Elena's brow creased. "Miles? What are you doing here?"
"I came to talk," he said gently. "I just… I miss you, Lena."
The way he said her old nickname tugged at something buried deep inside her. Something safe. Familiar.
Elena didn't back away. But she didn't speak, either.
"I know everything's complicated," he continued, stepping forward slowly. "But what you're feeling—it's not all yours. That bond between you and him... it was placed there. Woven like a trap."
"I don't believe that," Elena said, but her voice was thin.
"You don't have to believe it," Miles said softly. "Just feel."
With that, he slipped his hand into his coat pocket—and the crystal vial cracked open.
A faint red mist unfurled in the air between them. Invisible, but potent.
Elena inhaled—and her knees nearly buckled.
Memories surged. Not just hers. Past lives. Future glimpses. Dorian's hands on her, then blood, then flame. Miles holding her, laughing in a time she barely remembered. Confusion clawed at her chest.
She clutched her head. "What's happening?"
Miles stepped closer. "I just want you to see clearly. Just for a moment. See that he's not what you think."
But before he could say more, a shadow crashed between them.
Dorian.
He was furious.
His eyes burned silver, wind howling around him as if nature itself bowed to his rage.
"Miles," he growled. "Step. Away."
Elena gasped, stumbling back into Dorian's arms as the world swayed.
The mist cleared instantly.
"What did you do to her?" Dorian snapped.
Miles didn't answer.
He simply vanished into the trees.
Back at the Sanctuary
Later that night, Elena sat in Dorian's arms by the fire, still shaken.
"I think he used magic on me," she whispered.
"He did," Dorian confirmed, brushing her hair back. "And next time, I won't just let him walk away."
Elena clutched his shirt. "Something about the vision... It wasn't just memories. It felt like... warnings."
Dorian kissed the top of her head. "Then we'll face them together. Whatever he's planning—whatever they're planning—we'll be ready."
Outside, the rain began again.
But the fire between them didn't waver.
Not anymore.