83. "TOO CONFUSING."

Elijah continues his taunts over coffee, each word meticulously chosen to get through to Alaric.

"Didn't you tell him about the origin of your own existence, Nyra?" he asks, arching an eyebrow with feigned interest. "There's so much that Alaric hides, even about how I turned him. It was such a necessary moment in the face of a devastating loss for him."

I look at Alaric, searching his face for some kind of explanation or confirmation, but he remains expressionless, the muscles in his jaw working as **if** he's struggling to maintain control.

"Elijah, stop it," Alaric finally says, his voice low and dangerously calm, but irritation evident in every word.

But Elijah just smiles, clearly pleased with the reaction he's provoking.

"Oh, Alaric, I'm just trying to be helpful. Wouldn't it be better for everyone if there were no secrets between you?"

Alaric slams his hand on the table, making the cutlery shake. "I said stop!"

Elijah doesn't seem to mind Alaric's clear signs of irritation, or perhaps he does and is exactly looking for it. He smiles, savoring every moment of tension he creates.

"You really didn't tell her, Alaric? About the night you became what you are now? How you had to sacrifice so much to save what little was left?"

I try to process Elijah's words, feeling increasingly confused. I look at Alaric, searching for his eyes. But I don't get the same reaction; he just stands there, looking sharply at Elijah.

"Elijah, this is between me and her; it's none of your business," Alaric replies, his voice shaking slightly as he tries to keep himself under control.

But Elijah doesn't back down, leaning forward, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"But, Alaric, dear friend, isn't it her business too? She deserves to know about the depths of darkness you embraced that night. About how desperation drove you to make decisions that would change your essence forever."

Alaric stands up abruptly, the chair falling back with a thud.

"Enough!" he explodes, his voice echoing through the space, making everyone in the room shudder. His expression is wild, his eyes almost black with rage.

I recoil, my heart racing in my chest. I've never seen him like this, so completely lost to his rage. A part of me wants to run to him, to try to calm him down, but fear keeps me paralyzed in place.

Elijah, on the other hand, seems satisfied with the reaction he has provoked. He stands up calmly, adjusting his jacket as if he were at a mere social gathering.

"You see, Nyra, a man's true colors are revealed not when he is in control, but precisely when he loses it."

Elijah's words cut me deeper than I expected. Alaric, finally realizing the effect of his outburst on me, seems to pull himself together a little. "Nyra, I-" he begins, his voice breaking.

I don't wait for him to finish. The mixture of fear, confusion, and the sudden exposure to the influence Elijah has over him makes me act. I turn and run out of the room, tears already bubbling to the surface as I make my way to the garden. There, the flowers and the tranquility of the space might offer some solace, some space to breathe and perhaps begin to make sense of it all.

In the garden, I find refuge under the canopy of a large tree, the petals of the flowers dancing gently in the wind. The vibrant colors of the flowers are a striking contrast to my emotional state. My thoughts revolve around the words exchanged at breakfast, and my heart is still pounding from the memory of Alaric's fury.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely notice Anna's silent approach. She sits down next to me, crossing her legs and looking up at the cloudy sky, although the air is slightly warmer.

"Why are you like this, Nyra?" she asks, her soft voice breaking the silence.

I look at her, pondering how to explain the complexity of the situation.

"Anna, you're too young to understand so many things," I say, trying to shield her from the harsh realities I've just faced.

She gives me a sad smile, more mature than her age would suggest.

"Actually, I understand a lot more than you think, Nyra."

I'm surprised by her answer and something in her tone makes me reconsider what I know about my sister.

"Do you really practice magic, Anna?" I ask, curiosity taking over my confusion.

Without answering verbally, Anna holds out her hand, palm up. She murmurs some soft words that I can't understand and, to my amazement, tiny sparks of light begin to dance above her hand, forming patterns that shine and disappear like little stars.

I stare, perplexed, as the magical display illuminates **her** face, casting dancing shadows in **her** serious eyes.

"How do you...?" Anna lowers her hand and the lights disappear as quickly as they appeared.

"There are many things about me that you don't know, Nyra. And maybe it's time you started asking the right questions."

"Then tell me, don't leave me in the dark like everyone else is doing, you're my sister. I'm the one who should be protecting you."

Anna looks at me with a mix of compassion and resolve, recognizing the weight of my words.

"I know you want to protect everyone, Nyra, but sometimes, roles reverse. It's not just about protecting or being protected," she says, her voice soft yet filled with conviction. "It's about understanding and sharing what we know so that we can face whatever comes next together."

I take a deep breath, feeling the truth in her words. "Then help me understand, Anna. What else do you know? About magic, about us... about all this."

Anna sighs, as if measuring the weight of sharing her secrets. "I started practicing magic a few years ago," she begins, "learning discreetly from your best friend in the village who studied at the old magic schools. It wasn't just tricks or illusions but true magic, connecting with the forces of nature and the energies around us."

My heart races, surprised and fascinated by the revelation. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Was this before I came here?"

"I was learning, trying to understand how far I could go without raising suspicions or concerns," Anna explains. "And there was fear, Nyra. Fear of what people would think, what they could do if they knew magic still lives among us. You coming here was something that **was necessary**."

The gravity of the situation dawns on me, making me realize the weight of the secret Anna had been carrying alone.

"What do you mean 'necessary'? Did you know this could happen? But you seemed so distraught and afraid that day."

"I'm still learning, but I can already feel and manipulate some energies. Maybe I can help you understand better what's happening to you and Alaric, maybe even find out more about Elijah's true intentions," she says, hope coloring her words.

"Answer me, did you know I would be taken?" My mind pounds this question as much as my heart races.

Anna pauses, her face momentarily closing off before she answers, showing visible conflict.

"I didn't know exactly what would happen, Nyra, but I felt... a disturbance, something that indicated a significant change was approaching for you."

Her words leave a knot in my stomach. "Why didn't you tell me anything?"

"I was afraid of being wrong, of creating alarm over nothing. And also, I didn't know the details, I just felt that something big was about to happen. I should have talked to you, and I regret not doing so," she admits, her eyes lowering in a mix of guilt and concern.

I look at Anna, trying to process her confession. "And now, do you feel something? About Alaric, about Elijah?"

She nods more confidently. "I can try to sense more, now that I know there is more at stake, especially because of the visions you've been having."

"Elijah told me there's his blood on the necklace." I confess, making Anna furrow her brow, clearly surprised by this information.

"His blood on the necklace? That could be significant, Nyra. Blood can be used in many magical practices, especially to create bonds or magical influences."

A shiver runs down my spine. "Do you think he could be using it to locate me or thinking of finding mom?"

"It's possible," Anna responds, her expression serious. "Blood is powerful in magic, used both for protection and control. We need to find out more about this necklace and what exactly Elijah intends with it."

My heart races with the possibility of being manipulated through an object I constantly carry. "What can we do?"

Anna thinks for a moment. "I need to investigate more about enchantments and how we can undo any magic that might be linked to the necklace. It would also be helpful to know more about the visions you've had."

"I'll get the necklace. We can analyze it together," I suggest, already standing up, driven by the need to act.

"Yes, do that. And Nyra," Anna holds my arm, looking directly into my eyes, "be cautious. If Elijah is using the necklace to influence you, he might be aware of any attempt to interfere."

I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll be careful."

I hurry into the castle, my heels echoing on the stone floor, I climb the stairs swiftly, holding up my dress. As I turn the corner, I feel hands grasp my wrist, pulling me into a room.