SELENA'S POV
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My knees go weak.
I'm still standing… but it feels like I'm floating in someone else's body.
> "Zeria," he said. Ravyn.
His name echoes in my skull, but I don't know why. I don't want to know why.
I stumble back, grabbing Zack's arm like it's the only thing keeping me tethered to the world.
> "I'm not her," I whisper.
But my skin burns.
The mark on my back pulses like it knows I'm lying.
Ravyn doesn't move.
> "You're awakening. And when you do, it will hurt. It will burn. But it is truth. And your throne—"
> "I don't want a throne!"
The words rip from my throat.
I see a flicker of pain in his eyes, but he doesn't argue. He just bows again, like he's sorry, like he understands.
Then…
> "When the time comes, you'll remember. And when you do… I'll be waiting."
He steps back and vanishes — literally vanishes — into the shadows.
And all I can do is collapse.
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UNKNOWN POV
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He jerks upright — blood dripping from his hands, eyes wide.
> "She's waking," he growls.
> "Who?" the woman asks behind him.
He turns. The lab is cold. Bloody. Lit only by green light and rage.
> "Zeria. The Lost Queen."
He steps into the light — twisted, scarred, eyes glowing with wild genius.
Klade.
> "I thought she died," the woman says.
> "No," he whispers. "And if she's alive… then so is my revenge."
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Endnote 💬:
> The truth is starting to bleed through.
But so is the danger.
Selena isn't safe anymore.
And Klade… is watching.
🖤
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