Chapter 242 CHAPTER 242

Chapter 242 CHAPTER 242
Anna and Isabel had been in the cell for days now.

The cell held a steady stillness, broken only by the faint echo of movement from somewhere beyond the walls. 

Footsteps approached and both girls tilted their heads slightly, listening, their eyes flicking toward the door.

Anna didn’t move from her spot, but her fingers stilled.

The door opened with a low scrape, and a guard stepped in.

His gaze moved directly to her, sharp and knowing, like he had already decided what mattered the moment he walked in.

“Which one of you is Anna?” he asked.

Anna leaned back slightly, studying him. “Depends,” she said. “Who’s asking?”

The guard stepped further inside, the door closing behind him with a soft thud. “I need to speak to you.”

Isabel lifted her head from where she sat against the wall, her brows drawing together slightly as she looked between them.

Anna pushed herself up slowly, brushing her hands against her sides as if dusting something invisible away. “You’ve found her,” she said, nodding toward herself. “Now what?”

The guard’s eyes flicked briefly to Isabel, then back to Anna. “Alone.”

Anna hesitated for a fraction of a second, then gave a small shrug. She stepped closer to the guard, lowering her voice as they moved toward the far side of the cell.

Isabel watched them, her gaze narrowing slightly as their voices dropped just low enough that the words blurred into sound.

“…time is moving faster than expected,” the guard murmured.

Anna’s expression shifted, just slightly as she responded something that Isabel didn’t catch. 

“…. You were not the priority,” he replied.

She crossed her arms loosely, something sharp flickering behind her eyes. 

The guard didn’t react to the shift. “You were given an opportunity, finish it and you’re out of here.” he said.

Anna’s gaze flickered toward Isabel for a second before returning to the guard. 

A faint pause stretched between them.

Anna’s lips curved just slightly. “I was hoping you’d say that.

The guard turned and walked toward the door. 

Anna stayed where she was for a second, her fingers tapping once against her arm before she turned back.

Isabel was already watching her.

“What was that about?” she asked.

Anna didn’t answer immediately. She walked back toward the bed, sitting down again, her movements slower now, more deliberate.

“You ask a lot of questions,” she said lightly.

Isabel didn’t look away. “You were whispering.”

Anna glanced at her, then away, like she was deciding something.

Then she leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees.

“I know where your mother is.”

The words settled between them.

Isabel didn’t move at first.

Then slowly, her brows drew together. “What?”

Anna lifted her gaze, watching her closely now. “You heard me.”

Isabel shook her head slightly. “No. That’s not—” She stopped, her voice catching just enough to show the shift. “You don’t know anything about my mother.”

Anna tilted her head. “You’re sure about that?”

Isabel pushed herself up from the wall, taking a step closer. “Whatever you’re planning, I’m not falling for your lies.”

Anna didn’t flinch. “I’m not lying. Isn’t your mother Jocelyn?”

Silence stretched for a moment.

Isabel’s hands curled slightly at her sides. “How did you….?”

Anna leaned back just a little, her expression unreadable. “I can take you to her, but on one condition.”

Isabel’s gaze sharpened. “What?”

“Stop pretending that you don’t have abilities,” Anna said.

Isabel let out a small breath, shaking her head. “I told you already. I don’t.”

Anna watched her for a second, then gave a quiet, almost amused exhale. “You really believe that.”

“It’s not about belief,” Isabel said. “It’s the truth.”

Anna leaned forward again. “You opened the portal.”

“I didn’t open it,” Isabel said, her voice steady.

Anna’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Then who did?”

“You seem to know a lot – you tell me.”

Anna held her gaze, searching for something, then shook her head slowly. “You’re now eighteen.”

Isabel frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Everything,” Anna said. “That’s when things change. When what’s been sleeping starts to wake.”

Isabel took a step back. “You’re talking like I’m one of you. I’m human.”

Anna tilted her head. “That’s what you’ve been told.”

Anna let the silence stretch, then continued, “You think they’re going to let you walk out of this?”

Isabel’s gaze flickered briefly. “I didn’t do anything.”

Anna gave a small shrug. “That’s not what they believe.”

Isabel’s fingers tightened slightly. “Liam knows I wouldn’t—”

“The king decides,” Anna cut in gently. “And from where I’m sitting, it looks like he’s already decided.”

Isabel swallowed, her eyes dropping for a moment before lifting again. “Where are you getting all this?”

Anna’s lips curved slightly. “I told you. I have sources.”

“That’s not an answer,” Isabel said.

“It’s enough,” Anna replied.

Isabel shook her head. “No. If you want me to believe you—if you want me to do anything—you tell me the truth.”

Anna studied her for a second, then pushed herself up from the bed, stepping closer.

“Are you promising?” she asked.

Isabel hesitated, then nodded once. “Yes.”

Anna’s gaze held hers, measuring.

Then she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.

“There are people outside this palace who already know what you are,” she said. “People who saw what happened before anyone here understood it.”

Isabel’s brows drew together. “What are you talking about?”

Anna straightened slightly. “The one who arranged everything… the one who made sure I was in place when it happened… he didn’t guess.”

A faint pause.

“He knew.”

Isabel’s breath slowed slightly. “Who?”

Anna held her gaze for a moment longer, then spoke.

“Darius.”

The name settled between them.

“He doesn’t move blindly,” Anna continued. “If he pointed me toward you, it wasn’t by accident.”

Isabel shook her head slightly. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

“It means you matter,” Anna said.

Isabel’s fingers curled slightly. “That still doesn’t explain my mother.”

Anna’s expression softened just a fraction—not with kindness, but with precision.

“She’s alive,” she said. “And she’s closer than you think.”

Isabel’s breath caught, just slightly.

“And I can take you to her,” Anna added. “But not from inside this cell.”

Silence stretched between them.

Isabel looked at her, really looked this time, like she was trying to separate truth from intention.

“I can’t open anything,” she said finally, her voice quieter now.

Anna stepped closer, her gaze steady. “Then try.”

“I told you—”

“Try,” Anna repeated.

Isabel shook her head. “I don’t even know how.”

Anna’s voice lowered. “You didn’t know before either.”

The words settled, heavier this time.

Isabel’s hand lifted slightly, hovering near her chest before dropping again.

“I told you already, it wasn’t me,” she said.

Anna watched her, then nodded once, slow.

“Then prove it,” she said.

Isabel didn’t get to answer.

The cell door opened and Liam stepped in.