Chapter 76: Answers

The ancient, amused, voice echoed through the cavern.

"Well."

The figure standing in the road tilted their head.

"I was beginning to wonder how much longer you planned to keep her waiting."

Nobody moved. Nobody spoke. Rowan's pulse hammered. The whispering had gone completely silent. The city was listening. The figure took another step forward. Then another. The silver lantern cast pale light across the black stone road. For the first time, Rowan could make out more than a silhouette. Dark clothing with silver embroidery woven through the fabric. Long dark hair with brighty silver eyes. The sight struck her like a physical blow. A memory flickered at the edge of her mind. Warm sunny day, with laughter, a hand reaching for hers. Gone before she could grab hold of it. The figure stopped several yards away. Close enough to see, far enough to keep everyone tense. Corvin immediately shifted in front of Rowan.

The stranger smiled.

"There he is."

Corvin's eyes narrowed.

"Do I know you?"

The smile widened.

"Oh, that's a complicated question."

"I prefer simple answers."

"So do I."

The stranger glanced at Rowan.

"Unfortunately, simple answers left this story a long time ago."

Jess groaned.

"I hate people who talk like that."

"Most people do."

"Good."

The stranger looked genuinely pleased.

Lucien stepped forward.

"Enough."

The single word cut through the cavern. Instantly. The amusement faded from the stranger's face.

"You brought her here."

"Yes."

"Then tell her."

The tension between them was immediate. Whatever history existed between these two clearly stretched back far beyond Rowan's understanding.

Lucien folded his arms.

"Not yet."

The stranger gave a short sharp laugh. Disbelieving.

"Not yet?"

The silver eyes moved to Rowan.

"How many times have you nearly died this month?"

Rowan blinked.

"What?"

The stranger looked at Lucien.

"Exactly my point."

The stranger sighed.

Then turned fully toward Rowan.

The strange familiarity she couldn't explain.

"My name is Elias."

The words felt important. Rowan didn't know why. But something deep inside her reacted. Some form of recognition. Elias seemed to notice.

His expression softened.

"There you are."

Her throat tightened.

"Do I know you?"

For a moment, something painful crossed his face.

"Once."

The answer landed like a stone.

Corvin immediately stepped closer.

"Explain."

Elias studied him. For several seconds.

Then surprisingly nodded.

"Fair."

He looked back at Rowan.

"Years ago, before any of this began, before the contracts, before the vampires, before the visions... there were people who protected this city."

Rowan glanced around the massive cavern. The ancient roads. The towering pillars. The impossible structures stretching into darkness.

"This city is real."

Elias smiled slightly.

"Very observant."

Jess pointed at him.

"I like her. Don't ruin this."

A laugh escaped him. To Rowan's surprise, it sounded familiar. Dangerously familiar.

The sensation sent another chill through her.

Elias continued.

"The city has many names. Most have been forgotten."

"What is it called?" Rowan asked.

His silver eyes held hers.

"Home."

The same answer Seraphine had given. Only now it felt different. Like a truth buried under centuries. Corvin wasn't interested in history. Not right now.

His attention remained locked on Elias.

"You said she knew you."

"I did."

"How?"

The question hung in the air. Elias looked at Rowan.

Then sighed.

"You deserve the truth."

Lucien muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "finally."

Elias ignored him.

"Rowan, the visions weren't showing you the future."

She froze.

The cavern seemed to grow still.

"They were showing you memories."

Nobody spoke. Not even Jess.

Rowan stared at him.

"No."

The word left automatically. Impossible. The city, roads, doors, symbols, underground rivers, people, silver eyes, voice. The feeling of belonging.

Elias nodded gently.

"I know."

"No."

She shook her head again.

"No, that's impossible."

"It should be."

"Then it is."

A small smile touched his face.

"You've always been stubborn."

The statement hit harder than it should have. Because somehow... She believed him. Corvin reached for her hand. Without thinking, she took it. The simple contact grounded her instantly. His thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles. A tiny movement.

Elias noticed. His expression softened further.

"Good."

Corvin immediately disliked that.

"Good?"

"She has you."

The answer surprised everyone. Especially Corvin.

Elias shrugged.

"You think I don't recognize what that look means?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Jess laughed so hard she nearly fell over.

"Oh my God."

Malric actually smiled.

Rowan felt heat rise into her cheeks. Corvin looked ready to fight everyone present. Including himself.

Elias shook his head.

"Some things never change."

Before anyone could ask what that meant, Rowan spoke.

The question she'd been holding since arriving.

"What am I?"

Silence. The cavern seemed to hold its breath. Even the whispering stopped.

Elias looked at her carefully. Then slowly smiled.

The kind smile of someone finally seeing dawn after a very long night.

"You are Rowan Vance."

She frowned.

"That's not what I meant."

"I know."

The smile remained.

"And that answer matters more than you realize."

The frustration must have shown on her face because he laughed softly.

"I'm not avoiding the question."

"It feels like you're avoiding the question."

"Fair."

He looked toward the city. Toward the endless roads disappearing into darkness.

Then back at her.

"The truth is simpler than everyone has made it."

Lucien groaned.

That alone made Rowan pay attention.

Elias continued.

"You are not a monster."

The words struck her harder than expected.

"You are not cursed."

Another breath.

"You are not broken."

The city whispered softly around them. Agreeing. For the first time since all of this began, Rowan felt tears sting her eyes. Not because she was sad. Because she was tired.

Elias' voice softened.

"You're a woman who inherited something ancient."

He gestured toward the city.

"And this place remembers."

Silence settled over the group. For the first time since entering the underground city, Rowan wasn't afraid. Confused, overwhelmed…..absolutely, but not afraid. Corvin's hand tightened around hers. She looked at him. The relief that she was standing beside him. The fierce protectiveness he didn't even try to hide anymore. For a brief moment, everything else faded. His eyes met hers. Neither spoke. The connection between them felt stronger than ever. A faint smile appeared on Elias' face. He looked away, giving them privacy. The gesture somehow felt intentional.

Then his expression grew serious again.

"Now."

The single word pulled everyone's attention back. His silver eyes moved toward the darkness beyond the city. Toward something unseen.

"The good news is that you're finally here."

Nobody liked the way he said it.

Jess immediately pointed.

"There's bad news?"

"There is bad news."

"Of course there is."

Elias sighed.

"The bad news is..."

His gaze settled on Rowan.