Seraphine’s Wrath
Miles away, in the heart of her hidden lair, Seraphine paced furiously. Her silver eyes burned with fury as she sensed the disturbance in the artifact’s energy. The connection with Lyra had weakened, and she could feel her plans slipping through her fingers.
“She’s hesitating,” Seraphine spat, her voice sharp as a blade. “The girl is weaker than I thought.”
Eira stood at the edge of the room, her arms crossed and her expression cold. “Then cut her loose,” she said bluntly. “The boy is more than enough. He has the strength and the will to carry this plan through.”
Seraphine whirled on her, her silver hair whipping around her shoulders. “No,” she said, her tone icy. “Lyra is mine. I won’t let her go.”
Eira raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by Seraphine’s outburst. “She’s a liability,” she said. “The artifact responds to strength, not doubt. If she falters, it could destroy everything.”
Seraphine’s jaw tightened, her fury simmering beneath the surface. “She’ll come around,” she said firmly. “I’ll make sure of it.”
Eira’s cold gaze lingered on Seraphine for a moment before she spoke again. “And if she doesn’t?”
Seraphine’s expression darkened, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Then I’ll do what needs to be done.”
The artifact pulsed faintly on the pedestal beside her, its whispers growing louder in the silence. Seraphine placed her hand on the crystal, its energy surging under her touch.
“She’ll see,” Seraphine murmured, her voice almost tender. “She’ll see that I’m the only one who truly cares for her.”
Eira watched silently, her expression unreadable. “Just don’t let your emotions cloud your judgment, Seraphine. We’re too close to fail now.”
Seraphine didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the glowing artifact.
Far away, Lyra felt a chill run down her spine, as if Seraphine’s gaze had pierced through the distance. Her grip on the artifact tightened, her doubts swirling like a storm.
The battle for her loyalty was far from over.
