Granny Elara quickly ushered Aria and Luna into a hidden room deep within her cottage. The room was small, with stone walls and a low ceiling, and it smelled of old books and dust. Aria's heart was racing as she looked around, trying to process what was happening.
"What's going on, Grandma?" Luna asked, her voice low and urgent.
Granny Elara's eyes locked onto hers. "The dark force that's been hunting your family has found you. We need to keep you safe until we can figure out what to do next."
Aria felt a surge of fear. "What do you mean? What's hunting us?"
Granny Elara's expression was grim. "I'll explain everything, but first, we need to make sure you're safe. Stay here and stay quiet. I'll take care of this."
Aria and Luna nodded, their eyes wide with fear. Granny Elara handed them each a small pouch containing a few herbs and a silver pendant.
"Wear these," she said. "They'll protect you from harm."
As Granny Elara left the room, Aria and Luna looked at each other, their faces pale. Aria put on the pendant, feeling a strange tingling sensation as the silver touched her skin.
Suddenly, they heard the sound of growling and snarling, followed by the crash of furniture being overturned. Aria's heart was racing as she realized that whatever was outside was trying to get to them.
But then, a new sound echoed through the cottage - the sound of a deep, rumbling growl, followed by the snarl of the unknown creature. Aria's eyes locked onto Luna's as they listened to the sounds of a fierce battle unfolding outside.
The growling and snarling grew louder, and Aria could feel the ground shaking beneath her feet. She was terrified, but she knew she had to be brave for Luna's sake.
Just as suddenly as it had started, the noise stopped. The silence was oppressive, and Aria's heart was racing with anticipation.
Granny Elara burst into the room, her eyes wild with a mix of fear and relief. "It's okay, girls. You're safe now."
Aria and Luna emerged from the hidden room, their eyes scanning the cottage. The room was in disarray, furniture overturned and books scattered everywhere. But what caught Aria's attention was the figure standing in the center of the room, his back to them.
He was tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His hair was dark and messy, and his clothes were torn and bloody. But it was his presence that seemed to fill the room, commanding attention and respect.
As he turned to face them, Aria's heart skipped a beat. It was Asher, the stranger who had been searching for her. But there was something different about him now, something that made her feel like she was seeing him for the first time.
His eyes locked onto hers, and Aria felt a jolt of electricity run through her body. She knew in that moment that her life was about to change forever.
"You're safe now," Asher said, his voice low and husky. "But we need to get out of here. They're not the only ones who'll be coming for you."
Aria nodded, her mind reeling with questions. Who was Asher? What was happening? And what did he mean by "they"?
But before she could ask any questions, Asher turned and strode out of the cottage, leaving Aria and Luna to follow him...