_Mia's vision swam, the world spinning like a dark carousel. The power she'd unleashed crashed in, leaving her hollow. She felt herself falling, Alex's shout fading into the distance._
When she woke, the room was soft—muted lights, bookshelves that seemed to stretch to the ceiling, a scent of lavender and old paper. A low hum of a fireplace. No pain, just a heavy ache in her mind.
A woman sat in a chair by the bed, poised like a portrait. Silver hair framed sharp green eyes, a smile both warm and assessing.
"Welcome, Mia Alden. I'm Diana Michaelson."
Mia pushed up on her elbows, disoriented. "Where… where am I?"
Diana leaned forward, hands folded. "A safe place. You expended a lot of power. I brought you here to recover."
Mia's memories rushed back—Leah, the mill, the knife. A sting rose in her chest. "Who are you? How did you…?"
Diana's smile deepened. "I've watched your line for a while. The Michaelsons and Aldens have… history. You're a key, Mia, in a game older than Providence itself."
Mia swung her legs off the bed, wary. "A game? My friends… Leah…"
Diana's expression turned careful. "I know. I'm sorry. But you're not safe out there. The hunters won't stop. I can teach you to control it—the power, the legacy. If you want."
A small, strange object on the nightstand caught Mia's eye—a crystal orb, pulsing softly with a blue light. Diana followed her gaze.
"That's a tide-stone. Helps focus lunar energy. Yours to use, if you stay."