Aria's POV
Caspian arrives fifteen minutes later.
I'm still standing at the window, watching the empty street where the hooded figure disappeared.
A soft tap on my window makes me jump. Caspian is on the ledge outside, three stories up, like climbing buildings is normal.
I unlock the window and let him in.
Are you insane? I hiss. My dad's downstairs!
Your dad is asleep. I checked. Caspian scans my room with sharp eyes. Where did you see them?
Across the street. They waved at me and left. I show him the text from M. This came right before.
Caspian's jaw tightens. M. That's not good.
Who is M?
If I'm right, someone very dangerous. He pulls out his phone and texts someone. I'm posting guards around your house tonight. You don't leave. You don't open the door for anyone. Understood?
You can't just order me around
Aria. He grabs my shoulders. That Revenant tonight? That was a test. Someone wanted to see what you could do. Now they know you can heal corrupted magic. Do you understand how valuable that makes you?
No, actually. I don't understand any of this! I pull away from him. I came back from the dead. I can see prices on people. I can heal monsters. And now mysterious stalkers are collecting data on me like I'm some kind of science project!
You're more than a science project. You're a miracle. A weapon. A cure. Caspian's voice is urgent. There are people who would pay millions for someone with your abilities. Magic users who would kill to study you. And others who would lock you up and use you as a battery to power their spells.
My stomach turns. That's disgusting.
That's reality. He softens slightly. I'm trying to protect you. But you have to let me.
Fine. Post your guards. Watch my house. Whatever. I sit on my bed, suddenly exhausted. But tomorrow, I have plans. There's a board meeting at Castellan Industries. I'm going.
Why?
Because it's time to destroy Julian. I meet his eyes. I've been watching him for days. I know what he wants. I know how to take it away. And I'm done hiding.
Caspian studies me for a long moment. Then he nods. I'll come with you.
You don't need to
You just healed a Revenant and gained new stalkers. I'm coming. He heads for the window. Get some sleep. Tomorrow, we start the war.
After he leaves, I lie in bed staring at the ceiling.
War. That's what this is now.
Not just revenge. War.
The next morning, I put on my best business suit and head to Castellan Industries.
Dad looks surprised when I walk into his office. Aria? What are you doing here?
I want to attend the board meeting. As a shareholder. I sit in the chair across from his desk. I'm ready to be involved in the company again.
Dad's face lights up. That's wonderful! Are you sure you're feeling up to it?
I'm sure.
The board meeting starts at 10 AM. I sit between Dad and an older woman named Helen who runs finances. Across the table, Julian sits with Celeste beside him.
He looks confident. Smug. His number glows bright: $890,000.
Celeste smiles at me. Aria! So good to see you here. Are you feeling better?
Much better. I smile back. Ready to get involved again.
Julian clears his throat. Actually, Marcus, I have a proposal. Given Aria's recent... health challenges... I think it would be wise to transfer her shares to someone more actively involved in daily operations.
Every head turns to look at him.
You want to take my daughter's shares? Dad's voice is dangerously quiet.
Not take. Manage. Temporarily. Until she's fully recovered. Julian's smile is smooth. It's in the company's best interest.
I watch his number. When he says temporarily, it drops slightly. He's lying.
No, I say clearly.
Julian blinks. I'm sorry?
I said no. You're not managing my shares. You're not managing anything. I pull out my phone and connect it to the conference room screen. Because I have something everyone needs to see.
I play the recording from three days ago. Julian in a private phone call, discussing embezzlement. Talking about moving money through shell companies. Laughing about how easy it is to fool the old man.
The room goes dead silent.
Marcus's face turns red. What is this?
Evidence, I say calmly. Julian has been stealing from Castellan Industries for two years. $1.2 million in total. Moved through fake companies, false invoices, and creative accounting.
Julian stands up. This is ridiculous! That recording is fake!
It's time stamped and verified. I play another recording. And another. Here's you bribing Board Member Thompson. Here's you falsifying quarterly reports. Here's you planning to frame Dad for fraud so you could take over the company.
Celeste has gone pale. The number on her wrist flickers wildly.
You have no proof I was involved, she says quickly.
Actually, I do. I pull up bank records. You've been taking payments from Julian's shell companies. $50,000 a month to keep quiet and help him manipulate Dad.
Marcus stands up, his hands shaking. Get out. Both of you. Get out of my building.
Marcus, please Julian starts.
OUT!
Security escorts them from the room. Julian is shouting about lawyers. Celeste is crying fake tears.
I watch their numbers as they leave. Both dropping. Falling. Everything they wanted slipping away.
It feels good.
After the meeting, Dad pulls me aside. His eyes are full of tears. How long have you known?
Since I woke up. I remembered everything, Dad. What they did to me.
They killed you. His voice breaks. My own daughter. And I trusted them. I let them into our lives.
It's not your fault.
It is. I should have seen it. Should have protected you. He grabs my hands. We're pressing charges. Murder. Embezzlement. Everything. They're going to pay.
I nod. Good.
As I leave the building, I see Caspian waiting by a car. He raises an eyebrow. How'd it go?
Julian and Celeste are destroyed. Publicly humiliated. About to be arrested. I smile grimly. Phase one complete.
Good. Now we move to phase two.
Which is?
Keeping you alive. Caspian opens the car door. Because Julian and Celeste just became very dangerous. They have nothing left to lose. And people with nothing to lose do desperate things.
I'm about to respond when my phone rings.
Unknown number.
I answer it. Hello?
Heavy breathing. Then a voice Julian's voice, but wrong. Angry. Broken.
You think you've won? he snarls. You think you can destroy my life and walk away?
Julian
I know what you are. I've been doing research. Resurrection magic. You came back wrong, didn't you? You're a freak. A monster.
My blood runs cold. How do you
I have friends in dark places, Aria. Friends who are very interested in what you can do. His laugh is cruel. If I can't have the company, I'll have something better. I'll sell you to the highest bidder.
The line goes dead.
I stare at the phone, my hands shaking.
Caspian takes it from me. What did he say?
He knows. About the resurrection. About what I am. I look up at him. And he's going to sell me.
Caspian's expression turns deadly. Then we find him first.
But before we can move, an explosion rocks the building behind us.
The Castellan Industries tower. Where Dad is.
Fire and smoke pour from the fifth floor Dad's floor.
DAD! I scream and run toward the building.
Caspian catches me. You can't go in there!
My father is in there! I fight against him. Let me go!
People are running out of the building, coughing, covered in soot. But I don't see Dad.
Then my phone buzzes. A text from Julian:
An eye for an eye. You took everything from me. So I'm taking everything from you. Starting with your father. J
No.
No, no, no.
This can't be happening.
Sirens wail in the distance. Fire trucks. Ambulances. Police.
But all I can think is: Dad is in that building.
And it's my fault.
If I hadn't exposed Julian, he wouldn't have done this.
We have to get him out, I tell Caspian.
The firefighters
Won't get there in time! I pull away from him and run toward the burning building.
Caspian shouts my name, but I don't stop.
My father saved me by loving me unconditionally.
Now it's my turn to save him.
Even if it kills me.
Timeline: Day 3, Late Morning