"How can she do that?" I asked, looking at her suspiciously. "Why would she help me after nearly killing me?"
Cillian tilted his head. His expression turning into a smile that looked less human and more like a man crazed.
What is wrong with you?” I whispered, my voice shaking more than I wanted it to. One second, he was leaning in, all warmth and magnetic charm, and the next... he was a stranger.
Cillian ignored me and turned toTorin.
“Bring the Orb now. Before I decide your life has become redundant."
Torin didn't flinch at the threat. In fact, he let out a sharp laugh, as if the idea of his life being ended was the funniest thing he’d heard all century. Torinturned and approached an ornate cabinet. Glints of gold and silver caught my eye as he opened it, revealing the Orb resting on a crystal stand, its depths ablaze with shimmering blue waves that began to pulse when he picked it up.
With the orb in hand, he shot me a slow, wicked wink. It wasn't just a gesture, it was a deliberate middle finger to Cillian. He was telling Cillian, I’m not afraid of your threats. I will play this game the way I please.
Cillian’s fingers closed around mine. His grip was so tight. I looked up, searching for the Cillian I had seen in my room, the one who had been charming and tender.
He was gone in an instant. When I looked at him, a dark, predatory amber burned in his eyes.
As I mentioned his brothers, his thumb pressed into my palm, as if he didn't want me to mention their names again. His entire body grew unnaturally still, like a predator ready to pounce.
From across the chamber, Seraphina’s voice rang out with a soft, ritualistic tone.
"Open your eyes, child. Namarelle is the key to the unseen. Through her, the Elorium Order will guide you and unveil a future yet to be seen. She witnesses what the Gods have yet to reveal."
Fionn stepped forward, his presence overwhelming the room with a slow, predatory elegance. He moved with the quiet confidence of a man who had already decided what would happen today.
“The Elorium visions cannot be controlled." He said, his voice dropping into a low, lethal threat.
"They will reveal memories and futures or possibilities we may not be ready to face. Sometimes they show truths too painful to bear. Other times, they present illusions that twist the mind.”
There is no power over how long they last or whether what they reveal is the truth.” He stopped inches from me, his shadow swallowing mine.
“But the darkest corners of your mind are no concern to us. Today, if Namarelle forces a choice from you that serves our cause, then her duty is fulfilled. Your comfort is a secondary concern. Do you understand?"
I glanced anxiously at Fionn. As curious as I was, I didn't know if I was ready to face a vision I couldn't control. Worse still, what if Namarelle showed me that either Torin or Fionn was meant for me? I wasn't ready to deal with the consequences of a fated choice.
My voice came out quieter than I intended.
“What if Namarelle shows me I am bonded to one of you?” I asked.
“Are you ready to hear that?”
For a moment, Fionn’s unreadable blue eyes darkened. “If it shows any of us, we will face it,” he said, his voice ice cold “Better to know the truth now than to live through what is coming blind.”
Beside Seraphina, Torin smirked, his voice cutting through the tension with effortless arrogance. “If it shows you are my bond, sweet Tilly, it’ll only confirm what I already know,” he said, shooting me a slow, wicked wink that made Cillian’s grip tighten until his knuckles turned white.
“That I’m destined to win, my love.”
Even though Cillian’s hand pinned me in place. I needed to know their intentions. What if none of you are bonded to me? What's next?
Cillian stayed close beside me. His hand moved and settled at the small of my back, urging me forward towardNamarelle."Then let’s find out what she can show, shall we?"
But the thought of surrendering to a vision I couldn’tcontrol made my skin prickle. Icouldn’ttell if I was more afraid of whatNamarellemight show me, or of the way the brothers knowing what was about to be shown made me feel. And even then, part of me kept asking. Dothey really believe these visions are true? Fionn treats them like law, Torin like destiny that works in his favour. But what ifthey’rewrong? What if it all turns out to be a lie?
Icouldn’t help but doubt this, and then, faintly, the voices stirred.
Or maybe it’s both… truth and lie. Which will you believe?
"Tilly, place your hands on the orb at the same time asNamarelle and the brothers,"Seraphina said.
