Seraphina didn't sleep.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt it again—that pull, that hum beneath her skin, like something ancient had shifted and was now aware of her existence.
She sat upright in bed as dawn bled slowly into the sky.
Her chest burned.
Not pain.
Power.
She pressed a hand over her heart, breath unsteady. The room felt too small, the air too thin. Shadows stretched unnaturally along the walls, responding to her emotions like living things.
"Stop," she whispered.
They didn't.
The shadows curled closer.
The door burst open.
Kael.
He crossed the room in three strides, kneeling before her instantly. "You're awake," he said. "I felt it."
"You felt this?" she asked, voice trembling.
"Yes," he replied, eyes dark with urgency. "And so did others."
The shadows recoiled at his presence—but did not disappear.
Kael reached for her hands, grounding, steady. "Listen to me. Whatever you're feeling—don't fight it."
"But I don't understand it," she said. "I'm not like you. I don't have—"
"You are nothing like me," he interrupted softly. "You're worse."
Her breath hitched. "Worse?"
"Because you don't know your limits yet."
The air thickened suddenly.
Seraphina gasped as heat surged through her veins—not fire, not darkness, but something older. Brighter. The shadows bent—not toward Kael—but toward her.
Kael stiffened.
"Seraphina," he said slowly, "look at me."
She met his gaze—and the room exploded with light.
The shadows froze.
The runes carved into the walls ignited.
Kael swore.
"That's impossible," he breathed.
"What is?" she asked, panic rising.
"You're commanding the palace."
The power receded just as quickly as it had come, leaving her breathless, trembling.
Kael caught her before she could collapse, arms wrapping around her instinctively.
She clutched his coat. "I didn't mean to."
"I know," he said quietly.
He didn't let go.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then he rested his forehead against hers, voice rough. "You're not human."
Her heart slammed. "I was born human."
"Yes," he said. "But you weren't meant to remain one."
Fear flickered across her face—and something else.
Hope.
"What am I?" she whispered.
Kael hesitated.
"That," he said, "is what terrifies them."
His thumb brushed her cheek, tender despite the danger.
"They'll want to control you," he continued. "Use you. Break you."
"And you?" she asked.
His eyes softened—dangerously so. "I want to protect you."
She laughed weakly. "That sounds just as dangerous."
He smiled faintly. "It is."
A knock thundered at the door.
Before Kael could respond, a voice rang out.
"By order of the council," an elder announced, "the Devil's court demands a trial."
Kael's body went still.
"For what?" he called coldly.
"For what she is becoming."
Seraphina tightened her grip on him.
Kael rose slowly, turning back to her, eyes blazing with restrained fury.
"They are afraid," he said. "And afraid men make cruel laws."
She stood, legs shaking—but steady.
"Then I'll face them," she said.
Kael's jaw clenched. "I won't let them touch you."
She reached up, brushing her fingers along his jaw. The contact was soft—but grounding.
"Stand with me," she said. "Not in front of me. Beside me."
Something shifted in him.
He bent, pressing his forehead to hers once more.
"I swear," he murmured, "if they take you from me… I will become exactly what they fear."
Her lips hovered near his.
"I believe you."
Their moment shattered as the doors opened again—guards waiting, judgment ready.
Seraphina took a breath.
Whatever she was becoming…
There was no turning back.