The silence didn't last long.
—
Elena barely had time to process everything from yesterday when—
—
"He's expecting you."
—
She looked up.
A woman stood at the door.
Composed.
Sharp.
Familiar.
—
"…You're the one from yesterday," Elena said.
—
The woman nodded slightly.
"Victoria."
—
Right.
The one who knew everything.
—
"Follow me."
—
—
Elena didn't argue this time.
—
She followed.
Through the same cold hallways.
Past doors she still didn't understand.
—
Until—
They stopped.
—
"Inside."
—
Victoria opened the door.
—
Elena stepped in—
—
And froze.
—
Someone else was already there.
—
A woman.
—
Elegant.
Effortless.
Dangerous in a different way.
—
Long dark hair.
Calm posture.
Eyes that didn't need to try.
—
She was sitting like she belonged there.
—
No.
Like she owned the room.
—
—
Adrian stood beside her.
—
Not distant.
Not cold.
—
Close.
—
Too close.
—
—
Something tightened in Elena's chest.
—
"…You didn't tell me we had a guest," the woman said smoothly.
—
Her voice—
Soft.
Controlled.
Familiar with power.
—
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
—
"Elena," he said instead.
—
The woman's gaze shifted.
Landing on her.
—
And staying.
—
Longer than comfortable.
—
"…So this is her."
—
Elena frowned slightly.
—
"This is who?" she asked.
—
—
A small smile.
—
"Someone new," the woman replied.
—
Then she stood.
—
Graceful.
Slow.
Intentional.
—
Walking toward Elena.
—
Each step measured.
—
Each look… calculated.
—
—
"Elena Carter," she said, stopping in front of her.
—
Elena didn't step back.
—
"And you are?"
—
—
A pause.
—
Then—
"I'm Selene Vale."
—
—
The name hit differently.
—
Vale.
—
Same as Adrian.
—
—
Elena's eyes flicked to him.
—
He didn't react.
—
Of course he didn't.
—
—
"Family?" Elena asked.
—
Selene's smile didn't change.
—
"Something like that."
—
—
Not an answer.
—
—
Selene's gaze moved over Elena slowly.
—
Assessing.
Judging.
—
Then—
"…She's not what I expected."
—
—
Elena tilted her head slightly.
—
"Good. Means you had low standards."
—
—
A pause.
—
Then—
A soft laugh.
—
Interesting.
—
—
Adrian finally stepped in.
—
"That's enough."
—
Selene glanced at him.
—
"Protective already?"
—
—
Silence.
—
That question hung in the air.
—
Heavy.
—
—
Elena felt it.
—
That shift again.
—
This wasn't just another person.
—
This was—
History.
—
—
Selene turned back to Elena.
—
"You should be careful," she said softly.
—
Elena narrowed her eyes.
—
"Why?"
—
—
A small step closer.
—
Now they were almost face to face.
—
—
"Because people in this world don't last long," Selene whispered.
—
A beat.
—
"Especially the ones he gets bored of."
—
—
That landed.
—
Hard.
—
—
Elena didn't move.
Didn't flinch.
—
"…Then I guess I'll make sure I don't bore him."
—
—
Silence.
—
Tension.
—
Sharp.
—
—
Selene studied her for a second longer.
—
Then—
A smile.
—
Real this time.
—
"Good answer."
—
—
She stepped back.
—
Turning slightly toward Adrian.
—
"You've changed."
—
—
Adrian's expression didn't shift.
—
"No."
—
—
Selene's eyes lingered.
—
Like she didn't believe him.
—
—
Then—
She walked past Elena.
—
Stopping near the door.
—
—
"I'll be watching," she said calmly.
—
A pause.
—
"Both of you."
—
—
And then—
She left.
—
—
Silence filled the room again.
—
But it wasn't the same.
—
—
Elena exhaled slowly.
—
"…Who is she?"
—
—
A pause.
—
—
Adrian's voice was low.
—
"Someone you don't need to worry about."
—
—
Elena let out a small, humorless laugh.
—
"Yeah. That definitely means I should worry."
—
—
No answer.
—
—
She looked at him.
—
Really looked this time.
—
—
"Let me guess," she said.
—
A beat.
—
"She matters."
—
—
Silence.
—
—
That was answer enough.
—
—
Elena looked away first.
—
Something unfamiliar settling in her chest.
—
Annoying.
Unwanted.
—
—
"…Great," she muttered.
—
—
Because now—
—
This wasn't just about survival anymore.
—
—
It was getting personal.
—
—
To be continued...