Hera is dead.

Hera is dead.
Astrid POV

I made my way out of the school grounds and into the parking lot, the noise of students fading behind me with every step. The sun was still up, everything bright, alive—normal.

Too normal.

I unlocked my car and slipped into the driver’s seat, shutting the door behind me. The moment it clicked closed, silence wrapped around me like a second skin.

I didn’t start the engine.

Didn’t move.

I just… sat there.

Hands resting loosely on the wheel, eyes unfocused, mind running in circles.

Maybe I should just go home.

Take a long shower.

Sleep.

Pretend—just for a few hours—that none of this existed.

Because what if… that’s exactly what this is?

Nothing.

What if we’re chasing shadows? Building a case out of grief and coincidence?

Killian hadn’t found anything.

Odin hadn’t.

Hera, nothing on Gracie.

And me?

Nothing on the lecturers.

Nothing on Mr. Jay.

Nothing that could stand.

My fingers tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

“Are we just… doing too much?” I murmured under my breath.

The question lingered in the quiet.

Because everything pointed to normal.

Every single thing.

And yet—

It didn’t feel right.

My gaze dropped to my lap as I exhaled slowly.

At least one thing was clear.

I wasn’t dreaming.

That lab… that moment… him turning around—

That was real.

I was there.

With Mr. Jay.

No fog. No distortion. No screams or cries of help from unseen faces.

No waking up with my heart racing and no answers.

It wasn’t one of those dreams.

Which should have been a relief.

But somehow… it wasn’t.

Because if it wasn’t a dream—

Then what exactly was the connection?

Why that lab?

Why that same feeling?

Why did it always feel like I was stepping into something I had already seen before?

I leaned back against the seat, closing my eyes briefly as I tried to piece it together.

Nothing clicked.

Nothing made sense.

Just fragments.

A room I recognized before I should.

A man who seemed normal… but didn’t feel it.

A conversation that gave me nothing—and yet left me unsettled.

“I still don’t get it…” I whispered, more to myself than anything.

My eyes opened again slowly.

Enough.

I can’t sit here all day.

Whatever this is, whatever it’s turning into, I won’t figure it out by staring at a steering wheel.

I straightened up, exhaling once more before pushing the key into the ignition.

The engine roared to life.

Grounding.

Real.

Something I could actually control.

I pulled out of the parking lot slowly, merging onto the main road. Cars passed, people moved, the world carried on like nothing was wrong.

Like a girl hadn’t died.

Like something wasn’t hiding in plain sight.

My grip on the wheel tightened slightly as I drove.

Maybe I should go home.

Clear my head.

Start again tomorrow.

But even as that thought settled in—

Something in my chest told me this wasn’t over.

Not even close.

Archie POV

The water shimmered under the soft glow of the evening lights, rippling gently every time Odin moved.

And damn… he moved a lot.

I sat on a chair around, not too far from the pool, elbows resting on my knees, chin in my palm, watching him like I had absolutely nothing better to do.

Which—I didn’t.

Because how was I supposed to focus on anything else when that was right in front of me?

Water clung to his skin, sliding down the lines of his chest, tracing every curve like it knew exactly what it was doing. His hair was damp, pushed back slightly, droplets running down his neck…

God.

I exhaled slowly, dragging my gaze away for half a second before it betrayed me and went right back.

“Enjoying the view?” he asked without looking at me.

I scoffed lightly.

“You wish.”

A small smirk tugged at his lips, but he said nothing, just pushed himself backward in the water, arms spreading slightly as he floated for a moment.

Show off.

I clicked my tongue softly, then shifted a bit on the edge.

“So…” I started, voice more casual than I felt. “How’s it been?”

He hummed.

“With Riven. The whole… stalking-people thing.”

Odin shrugged, the water moving with him.

“Nothing so far.”

I frowned slightly.

“Still?”

“Still.”

Even today.

I watched as he swam closer to the edge, resting his arms on it, water dripping from his skin as he looked out toward the garden instead of at me.

“I went out with Riven this morning,” he added. “Same routine. Same people. Same nothing.”

I let out a small breath.

“Wow… thrilling.”

He chuckled under his breath.

“Very.”

I picked at an invisible thread on my jeans, gaze dropping for a second.

“If it keeps going like this…” I muttered, “Astrid’s probably going to call it off.”

He shrugged again.

“Maybe.”

That was it.

Just… maybe.

Silence settled between us after that.

Soft.

But not empty.

I shifted slightly, glancing back at him.

“…You’re not mad, right?”

He blinked, finally turning his head toward me.

“Mad?”

“Yeah,” I said, sitting up a little straighter. “That I didn’t join you guys. The whole mission thing.”

He let out a quiet laugh.

“Why would I be mad?”

But he looked away again.

And that—

That right there—

Made my chest tighten.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Odin.”

“Hmm?”

“Look at me and say that.”

He laughed again, softer this time, like he knew he’d been caught.

Then he turned fully, meeting my eyes properly.

“I’m not mad,” he said.

And this time… it sounded real.

“You see?” he added lightly. “I’m not mad.”

I searched his face for a second longer, still not entirely convinced.

He sighed, shaking his head slightly.

“Archie… I get it,” he said, voice gentler now. “You didn’t want to go. That’s fine. It’s not your thing right now.”

His gaze softened.

“And I understand that.”

Something in my chest loosened.

Just a little.

Still…

I pouted slightly, looking away.

“Still feels like you’re judging me.”

“I’m not,” he said immediately, amused.

“Mm.”

He chuckled again, then pushed himself up, water cascading down his body as he climbed out of the pool.

I tried—tried—not to stare.

Failed.

Spectacularly.

Every step he took toward me made it worse.

The water dripping from his skin.

The way his muscles shifted with each movement.

That stupid, perfect face.

Even his teeth looked good. Like—how is that even fair?

“You done?” he asked, stopping right in front of me.

I blinked up at him.

“…Done with what?”

“Admiring me.”

Heat rushed straight to my face.

“I wasn’t—”

“You like what you see?” he added, voice low, teasing.

“Oh my—shut up,” I muttered, looking away quickly.

He laughed softly, then reached down, taking my hands before I could protest.

Warm.

Firm.

He placed them against his chest.

My breath hitched slightly.

“Odin—”

“I’m here,” he said quietly.

I looked up at him again.

His expression had changed.

Softer.

Steadier.

“No matter what’s going on,” he continued, “I’m here. For you.”

My throat tightened just a little.

“Because I love you.”

I blinked.

Once.

Then dramatically wiped under my eye.

“Do you want me to cry now?” I sniffed.

He laughed, leaning closer.

“Go ahead. I’ll hold you.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I muttered, though a smile tugged at my lips.

He dipped his head closer, his breath brushing against my ear.

“You’re already tempting me,” he whispered.

My stomach flipped.

“Since when did you start becoming naughty?” I murmured, glancing at him.

He smirked slightly.

“Since I tasted you.”

I let out a soft, disbelieving chuckle as I stood up, now face-to-face with him.

“God, you’re such a tease.”

“Only for you.”

The air shifted.

Just like that.

Tension.

Thick.

Electric.

My pulse quickened as I looked at him, really looked at him—and suddenly, the space between us felt too small and not close enough at the same time.

His hand moved to my waist.

Mine found his shoulder.

And then—

We kissed.

Soft at first.

Tentative.

Like we were testing something fragile, something that didn’t need force to be felt.

His lips were warm.

Familiar.

And yet—

Every single time felt new.

My stomach twisted, that same rush hitting me like it always did, like I’d never experienced it before.

Like the first time.

Always the first time.

His hand slid up my back, pulling me closer, and I exhaled softly against him, my fingers tightening against his skin.

The kiss deepened.

Slowly.

Naturally.

Until it wasn’t soft anymore.

Until it wasn’t tentative.

It turned hungry.

Needy.

Like we were making up for something we didn’t even realize we’d been missing.

I stumbled back slightly, my back hitting the wall behind me, and he followed immediately, closing the distance again.

His hands moved over me, mine over him—heat, skin, breath—

Everything blurring into one.

God—

“Ooookay—!”

We froze.

Instantly.

Pulled apart just enough to breathe.

Zora stood there.

Eyes wide.

Face flushed.

Dove right behind her, already laughing.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Zora muttered quickly, turning away.

“We’ll just—go—yeah,” Dove added between giggles as she dragged Zora along.

“Very busy. Continue.”

And just like that—they were gone.

I stood there, still slightly breathless, staring after them.

“…I hate them.”

Odin smirked beside me.

“Do you?”

I glanced at him.

Then at the house.

Then back at him.

“…We should go inside.”

His smirk widened.

“Yeah,” he agreed.

“Definitely.”

Unknown POV

The mirror reflected perfection.

Not flawless—but intentional.

Every detail chosen. Every piece placed with care.

The fabric sat just right against the body. Dark. Clean. Sharp. The kind of outfit that didn’t beg for attention… but commanded it anyway.

A hand smoothed over the front once more, slow, precise, adjusting nothing, just confirming everything.

Satisfied.

The head tilted slightly, studying the reflection like it was someone else entirely.

A small smirk formed.

Cold.

Certain.

“These kids, they need to be taught the hard way…”

The voice was low. Controlled. Almost calm—but there was something underneath it. Something that didn’t sit right.

A pause.

“They’ll learn.”

The words lingered in the air like a promise.

Or a warning.

Fingers reached for the keys resting on the table nearby, lifting them with a soft jingle. The movement was unhurried, almost casual.

A step toward the door—

Then it stopped.

The gaze dropped.

Something small.

On the floor.

Watching.

A faint shift in expression—barely noticeable.

“What?”

Silence answered.

A second passed.

Then a quiet exhale.

“They need to learn anyway.”

No softness in that tone.

No hesitation either.

The moment ended just as quickly as it came.

The door opened.

Closed.

Footsteps echoed briefly through the hallway before fading into the night.

The garage light flickered on.

Rows of cars sat untouched—but the hand didn’t reach for the newest. Didn’t go for the sleekest.

Instead,

An older car.

Something forgettable.

Something that wouldn’t be remembered twice.

The door creaked open. The engine coughed once before settling into a low hum.

Headlights cut through the darkness.

And just like that,

The car rolled out.

Swallowed by the night.

Hera POV

The road stretched endlessly ahead of me, streetlights flickering past in slow, steady intervals.

I had been driving for minutes.

No—longer.

Long enough for the engine’s hum to fade into the background. Long enough for my thoughts to start getting louder than everything else.

Gracie’s car stayed in sight the entire time.

Not too close.

Not too far.

Just enough.

She turned.

I followed.

Another turn.

Still followed.

Until finally—

She slowed.

And stopped.

I eased my foot off the accelerator, letting my car glide to a halt a good distance away, parking along the road where I wouldn’t be obvious.

My fingers stayed on the steering wheel for a second longer than necessary.

Then I leaned back.

Eyes forward.

Watching.

Gracie stepped out.

And without hesitation—

Walked straight into a bar.

My brows pulled together.

“…A bar?”

I muttered under my breath, gaze narrowing slightly.

That didn’t sit right.

Not with the way she had been acting.

Not with everything she said earlier.

I shifted in my seat, exhaling slowly.

Okay… think.

Emotionally recovering. That’s what we said, right?

A girl dealing with loss. With grief. With confusion.

Maybe this was normal.

Maybe this was how she coped.

People drank.

People tried to forget.

And Gracie—

Gracie seemed strong.

Stronger than she let on.

My fingers tapped lightly against the wheel.

I, myself…..I am recovering as well emotionally. Stupid Seren.

Still…

Something felt off.

My phone buzzed suddenly, pulling me out of my thoughts.

Astrid.

I picked up immediately.

“Yeah?”

“How is it?” her voice came through, sharp, already alert. “Any update?”

I glanced toward the bar again.

“I just got to—” I paused, glancing at the sign briefly before continuing, “—a bar on Westbrook. Saw her walk in.”

A beat.

Then—

“She walked in?” Astrid repeated.

“Yeah.”

“Gracie?”

I frowned slightly.

“…Yes, Astrid. Gracie.”

“What is she doing there?”

I shrugged instinctively, even though she couldn’t see me.

“What does anyone do in a bar? Drink?”

“No.”

I blinked.

“No?”

“That’s not—no,” Astrid’s voice came again, firmer this time. “That’s not normal.”

“It’s a bar,” I repeated, a little amused now. “People go there.”

“Hera.”

Something in her tone made me straighten slightly.

“That girl came to us crying about her dead friend. About how no one believes her. About murder,” she continued. “And now she’s casually walking into a bar like everything is fine?”

I sighed softly.

“You’re overthinking.”

“And you’re underthinking.”

I rolled my eyes, though a small smile tugged at my lips.

“Relax. What if it’s nothing? What if she just needed a drink?”

“And what if it’s not?” Astrid shot back immediately.

Silence.

That question hung heavier.

I glanced toward the entrance again.

The door had already closed behind Gracie.

Gone.

Out of sight.

Astrid exhaled on the other end.

“You’re already there, Hera.”

I didn’t respond.

“You have the chance. Just check.”

I leaned my head back against the seat, staring up at the roof of the car.

“What if it’s nothing?” I murmured.

“What if it’s not?” she repeated.

A pause.

Then her voice softened slightly.

“I just got home,” she added. “If you want to come back, you can. I’ll pick it up from here.”

I shook my head slowly.

“Nah… I’m already here.”

Another glance toward the bar.

“I’ll check it out. Won’t take long.”

“Be careful,” Astrid said immediately.

A small smile formed.

“Always.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Yeah.”

The call ended.

Silence returned.

I inhaled deeply.

Then exhaled.

“Alright…” I muttered to myself.

I pushed the door open and stepped out of the car, the cool night air brushing against my skin.

My eyes lifted toward the bar—

And then I saw it.

Gracie.

Not inside.

Outside.

Standing a little distance away.

My brows furrowed.

“She came back out?”

But she wasn’t alone.

Someone stood with her.

Or… something.

A figure.

Half-hidden in the shadows.

I couldn’t make out the face.

Couldn’t hear what they were saying.

But they were talking.

Close.

Too close.

Something about that made my stomach tighten. They were making their way back inside again.

I pulled my hoodie over my head slightly, adjusting it before stepping off the curb.

One step.

Two—

A sound.

Loud.

Sudden.

An engine.

My head snapped to the side.

Headlights.

Too bright.

Too fast.

“What—?”

The car wasn’t slowing down.

It was coming straight at me.

Not swerving.

Not hesitating.

Coming.

For me.

My body froze.

For a split second—

My legs refused to move.

Like the ground had swallowed them whole.

Like something held me there.

“No—”

I tried to step back—

Too late.

Impact.

Everything exploded.

Pain.

Force.

My body slammed against the front of the car, the air knocked violently out of my lungs as I hit the bonnet with a sickening crack.

My head snapped forward—

A sharp, blinding jolt as it collided with metal.

Sound disappeared.

Or maybe it was just me.

My vision blurred as my body slid slightly, struggling to hold onto anything—

Anything at all.

I tried to breathe.

Nothing came.

My chest burned.

My throat tightened.

I forced my eyes open—

And saw it.

The driver.

For a split second.

I saw the eyes through the mask on.

Not human.

Not normal.

Dark.

Wrong.

Cold.

My heart stuttered.

“What…?”

The car jerked back suddenly.

Reversing.

My body slipped off the front, collapsing toward the ground—

I barely hit before—

It came again.

Faster.

Harder.

“No—!”

The second impact hit like death itself.

My body was thrown.

Flung.

The world spun violently as I was sent flying off the road, crashing into the woods beyond.

Branches tore at my skin.

Sharp.

Relentless.

My body rolled against the rough ground, stones digging into flesh, something cracking—

I couldn’t tell what.

Pain shot through every part of me.

I hit something hard—

My head—

A rock.

A dull, sickening thud.

And then—

Stillness.

I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t move.

My chest rose weakly, each attempt at air failing before it even began.

Everything hurt.

Everything.

Warmth spread beneath me.

Too much.

Too fast.

Blood.

My vision flickered.

Darkness creeping in at the edges.

And then—

Footsteps.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Stopping right in front of me.

I couldn’t lift my head.

Couldn’t see the face.

Just—

Legs.

Shoes.

Close.

Too close.

My fingers twitched weakly against the ground.

A voice.

Low.

Cold.

“You should have stayed out of it.”

My heart dropped.

No…

No—

I tried to move.

To crawl.

To do something—

Anything—

My hand lifted weakly, pushing against the ground.

Useless.

The figure crouched.

Closer.

I managed my fingers to reach this persons collar—

Tearing.

Fabric ripping under my grip.

“No—” I tried to speak, but it came out broken. Barely a sound.

I pushed weakly against them.

Nothing.

No strength.

No control.

Then—

A sound.

Wet.

Sharp.

A piercing pain tore through me.

Something drove into my body.

Deep.

I gasped—

Or tried to.

Again.

Another.

And another.

Not once.

Not twice.

Over.

And over.

Stabbed multiple times.

My body jerked weakly with each strike, pain exploding through me until it blurred into something unrecognizable.

I couldn’t scream.

Couldn’t fight.

Couldn’t even breathe.

My vision faded further, darkness swallowing everything slowly.

The last thing I felt—

Was the ground beneath me.

Cold.

Unforgiving.

And the weight of my own blood pooling around me.

Then.

Nothing.

Astrid POV

I had been home for over an hour.

An hour that felt like something stretched thin—like a wire pulled too tight, humming with a tension I couldn’t explain.

I hadn’t gone upstairs.
Hadn’t showered.
Hadn’t even changed.

I just… waited.

Paced.
Sat.
Stood again.

Checked my phone.
Checked it again.

Nothing.

“Astrid.”

Jason’s voice broke through my thoughts, low but careful. He was leaning against the wall, arms folded, watching me the way people watch something fragile—like I might crack if they spoke too loud.

“You’ve been standing in the same spot for like… ten minutes now,” he added. “What’s bothering you?”

I swallowed, forcing my eyes away from the door.

“When is Hera getting back?”

Silence followed that.

The kind of silence that didn’t sit right.

Damon, who had been on the couch with his phone in hand, sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“I’ve been calling her,” he said. “Her line’s not going through.”

My heart skipped.

“What do you mean not going through?”

“Not reachable,” Riven added from the other side of the room, already frowning at his own phone. “Same here. Straight to nothing.”

Killian looked up immediately.

“What’s going on?”

I turned to him, my chest tightening.

“I spoke to Hera like an hour ago,” I said, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. “She said she had eyes on Gracie… that she saw her with someone. She said she’d be home soon.”

I paused.

Then quieter—

“So why isn’t she here?”

Riven was already on his feet.

“Something’s wrong.”

“No—” I shook my head quickly, pacing now, faster. “No, maybe she just—maybe she stopped somewhere, maybe—”

“You don’t believe that,” Jason cut in gently.

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

Odin and Archie came down the stairs at that moment, laughter dying on their lips the second they saw the tension in the room.

“What’s going on?” Odin asked immediately.

“Hera,” Damon said. “We can’t reach her.”

Archie’s expression dropped.

Odin pulled out his phone instantly, dialing.

Nothing.

Again.

Nothing.

I was shaking now.

Not visibly at first—but inside, it was building. Crawling under my skin.

“She said she’d be home…” I whispered.

“Astrid—” Killian started, stepping closer.

And then—

It hit me.

Not a thought.

Not a sound.

A feeling.

Sharp.

Violent.

Like something tore through my head.

“—Ah!”

The scream ripped out of me before I could stop it.

Everything went white.

Flashes—

Streetlights.

Blurred.

A road—

Headlights—

Too bright—

Too fast—

I staggered, clutching my head as my knees nearly gave out.

“Astrid!” Zora rushed to me, grabbing my shoulders. “What’s wrong?!”

Dove dropped beside me instantly, her hands hovering near my face.

“Astrid, look at me—look at me—what’s happening?”

I forced my eyes open.

My chest heaved.

“We—” I choked out. “We have to go.”

Everyone stilled.

“We have to find Hera. Now.”

No one questioned it.

Not a single one.

Movement exploded around me.

Keys grabbed. Doors opened. Voices overlapping.

“Archie, stay here,” Odin said quickly.

“What? No—”

“Sable’s with you. Stay.”

“I’m coming with you—”

“No.” Odin stepped forward, cupping Archie’s face quickly before pressing a firm kiss to his forehead. “We’ll be back.”

And just like that—he was gone.

I didn’t wait.

I was already moving.

My hands were trembling so badly I almost dropped the keys, but I forced them steady enough to unlock the car.

Driver’s seat.

Engine on.

Killian slid into the passenger seat just as I gripped the wheel.

“Astrid, breathe—”

I didn’t.

I couldn’t.

Jason and Elsie climbed into the back.

Behind us, I could hear another engine roar to life—Damon, Dove, Zora, Odin, Riven.

“Astrid—” Killian tried again.

“I know where I’m going.”

“How?”

“She told me.”

And then I drove.

Fast.

Too fast.

The gate barely had time to fully open before I sped through it.

Traffic blurred.

Lights streaked past.

Horns—voices—none of it mattered.

“Slow down—” Jason muttered behind me.

“No.”

“Astrid—”

“No!”

My hands tightened around the wheel.

“I’m not losing her.”

Silence.

Heavy.

Terrifying.

And then—

We arrived.

The bar.

Everything… normal.

Too normal.

I slammed the brakes and stepped out before the car fully settled.

No Hera.

No sign of anything wrong.

The others pulled in behind us, doors slamming as they rushed over.

“Astrid—what is it?” Damon asked.

I didn’t answer.

I ran.

Straight into the bar.

“Did you see her?!” I demanded, scanning faces wildly. “A girl—black hoodie—dark hair—she was here—did anyone see her?!”

Confused looks.

Murmurs.

Head shakes.

“No—”

“I don’t—”

“Sorry—”

My chest tightened.

No.

No, no, no—

Killian grabbed my arm gently, pulling me back.

“Astrid—”

And then—

“Astrid!”

Dove’s voice cut through everything.

From across the street.

“We found her car!”

We all ran.

Hera’s car sat there.

Parked.

Still.

Too still.

“Her phone—” Zora said, pulling it from inside. “It’s here.”

Locked.

No Hera.

Jason stepped back slowly.

“What the hell is going on…?”

Zora’s voice came out sharp.

“Hera is fucking missing.”

The words hit like a punch.

I shook my head, my vision blurring.

“No—no—she’s here—she has to be—”

I grabbed Zora’s arm.

“Track her. Do your kitty thing”

She didn’t hesitate.

Her eyes shifted.

Body tensed.

And then she moved.

Fast.

Into the woods??!

“Wait—what is she doing?” Jason asked, confused—but we were already following.

Deeper.

Branches snapping underfoot.

Darkness closing in.

“Astrid…slow down—”

“No!”

“Guys! Wait!” Odin announced.

“I found something.”

We all stopped.

Odin bent down, picking something off the ground.

Cloth.

Ripped.

Blood-stained.

Riven’s voice dropped.

“That’s Hera’s.”

Dove’s breath hitched.

“Did she… feed?”

And then—

A scream.

Zora.

Loud.

Sharp.

Terrified.

We ran.

And then—

We saw her.

Hera.

On the ground.

Broken.

Blood everywhere.

Too much blood.

My world stopped.

“Hera—!”

I dropped beside her, pulling her into my arms.

Her body was cold.

Too still.

Too weak.

“Who did this to you?” I cried, my voice breaking completely.

Her lips moved.

Barely.

Nothing came out.

“What the fuck!” Killian gasped

“Holy shit!” murmurs from behind.

“Stay with me—please—please—stay with me—”

Her fingers twitched.

Grabbing mine.

Weak.

So weak.

Then,

A whisper.

“It’s not… Gracie…”

My breath caught.

“You found me…” she smiled weakly

“You all did” she added

“Hera please no, we are taking you home.” Dove cried helplessly.

“you know, I'm dying…” she said with a small laugh

“This is how I get to end?”

“Who did this to you..” Riven asked

“It’s something else…” she struggled, voice fading. “Someone else is…”

Her eyes fluttered.

And then—

Nothing.

“Hera?”

No.

No.

No—

“She’s fading,” Riven said, his voice tight.

“No!” I screamed. “No—no—no—wake up! Hera—wake up!”

Tears blurred everything.

My chest felt like it was being ripped open.

“Please—please—don’t do this—don’t leave me—”

“Astrid—” Killian’s voice was calm—but firm. “You need to—”

I didn’t hear him.

I couldn’t.

“HERA!!!” I cried out.

Everything inside me—

Snapped.

Heat surged.

Wild.

Uncontrolled.

And suddenly—

Fire.

Flames burst around me.

A ring.

Burning.

Crackling.

Alive.

Everyone staggered back as the fire formed a circle around me and Hera.

I clutched her tighter, shaking.

“Stay with me…”

My voice broke into nothing. Nothing I could do, In my hands, she was fading.

And for the first time—

Truly—

Deeply—

I understood.

This wasn’t human.

This wasn’t normal.

This wasn’t an accident.

We weren’t hunting a killer anymore.

We were being hunted too.

-AUTHOR’S NOTE-

My loves,

And just like that… we’ve come to the end of this book.

I won’t lie to you, this one was heavy. It grew bigger than I planned, deeper than I expected, and somehow, it found its own life along the way. From the chaos, the love, the tension, the laughter… to the pain you just read. I truly hope you felt every single moment the way I did while writing it.

Thank you for staying with me through it all. Every chapter. Every twist. Every late update.

I need to ask you something though—talk to me.

Who is your favorite character so far?
Which scene stayed with you the most?

Any favourite line?
And… let’s be honest, who are you rooting for when it comes to couples? 👀

I read your thoughts more than you think, and they mean everything to me.

Now… I owe you honesty.

I’m tired.

Not just “I need sleep” tired… but mentally drained. Exhausted in every area. Writing this book took a lot out of me, and lately, I’ve been dealing with really bad migraines too. It hasn’t been easy keeping up, and I know you’ve probably noticed the gaps between updates. That’s not me. I don’t like disappearing like that.

But right now, I need to pause.

I need to take care of myself, rest my mind, and come back stronger—for you, and for this story.

That’s also why I made this last chapter long. I didn’t want to just end things—I wanted you to feel it. To sit with it. To hurt a little, the way they do.

Please understand this break isn’t goodbye, it’s just me catching my breath.

And when I return?

Book 3 is going to be something else entirely.

Answers. Chaos. Pain. Growth. Truths you don’t see coming.

So much is about to unfold.

Until then, if you’ve enjoyed this story even a little, please share it—with your friends, your siblings, your people. Help this world grow. It means more than you know.

Thank you for reading.
Thank you for staying.
Thank you for loving this story with me.

I’ll see you in Book 3.

With all my love!