The rain finally eased, leaving a thin mist drifting across the alley. Lian stared at his trembling hands. The fiery glow was fading, replaced by a dull warmth under his skin—as if embers were sleeping there, waiting.
He didn't know where to go. Home was not an option. If those men found him once, they could find him again.
Then—
A soft crunch of gravel.
Lian spun around.
A figure stood at the alley entrance, wearing a long black coat and a hood that hid their face. They didn't look like the men who had chased him. Their stance was calm, almost too calm.
"Stay back!" Lian shouted, raising his still-smoking hand.
The hooded figure didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't speak.
Instead, they slowly lifted one hand and made a simple gesture—as if telling him to breathe.
Lian narrowed his eyes.
"What do you want? Who are you?"
The figure finally stepped forward. Rainwater dripped from the edge of the hood, revealing the faint outline of a woman's face—sharp features, calm eyes that seemed to glow faint silver.
"My name is Raine Solis," she said softly. "I'm not here to hurt you."
Right. That was exactly what someone dangerous would say.
But Raine continued, her voice steady, almost soothing.
"The power inside you has awakened too early. If you don't learn to control it, you'll hurt more than just the men who chased you."
Lian hesitated. "You… know what this is? What I am?"
"Not what you are."
She paused.
"What you could become."
The mist swirled around her boots as she walked closer—slowly, deliberately giving him time to step back if he wanted. But Lian didn't move. Something about her felt… real. Not safe, but truthful.
Raine extended her hand.
"There are people looking for you, Lian Hart. Dangerous people. If you stay here, they will capture you. And the power you used tonight will burn you from the inside."
Lian felt a jolt of fear.
Burn him?
The ember-like warmth under his skin pulsed as if it understood the warning.
"What do you want from me?" he asked.
"To help you survive," Raine said.
"Come with me. If you want answers… if you want to live… this is your only chance."
The street behind them flickered with distant sirens and shouts. The city was waking up to the chaos he left behind.
Lian looked at the cracked stone pieces still glowing faintly at his feet. He didn't know Raine. He didn't trust her.
But he knew one thing:
He couldn't face this alone.
He reached out—and grabbed her hand.
Raine nodded once. "Good. We need to move. They're already on their way."
As they ran into the misty night, Lian glanced at the red moon still hanging above the city.
For the first time, it didn't feel frightening.
It felt like destiny.