Chapter 17: The real Villan.

“Unless Serena is a puppet,” Lyra said, her voice low and sharp.

Her word echoed through the room. They all turned to each other. Damien, pacing near the window, stopped dead. Jack’s expression was pale, his fingers tightening around the edge of the couch.

Maya’s eyes widened, the firelight flickering across her face as if it understood the weight of Lyra’s words.

Maya shook her head quickly. “No… no, wait. What if the real Serena isn’t gone? What if she’s possessed? That would explain why she keeps showing up, why she’s haunting our dreams and our lives even after death.”

Jack leaned forward, his voice tight. “But I saw her at the hospital, not in a dream....her face, her voice, her touch. It wasn’t just some shadow playing tricks on me.” His jaw clenched, and he rubbed his palms together like he was trying to warm them against the chill creeping into the room. “It felt real and it was creepy.'

Damien let out a frustrated groan, dragging his hand over his face. “This doesn’t make sense. If she’s dead, she should be gone, end of story. But if she’s alive or worse, something in between, that means we never killed the real threat.” He slammed his fist lightly against the wall, his teeth gritted.

Maya lowered her voice, trembling as she spoke. “The illusionist… it was never about Serena being some side player. What if she is the illusionist? Or maybe the illusionist is wearing her body? Using her face?”

The air in the house was suffocating, it was heavy and thick with confusion. Lyra crossed her arms, her sharp eyes flicking from one friend to the other. “That’s what I’m saying. The Serena we knew may not be Serena at all. She’s a puppet and whoever’s pulling the strings… wants us broken.”

Before anyone could respond, the lights flickered. Once, twice. Then all at once, they went out. The room plunged into darkness.

Maya gasped, her hands trying to clutch Damien’s arm. Jack’s breathing grew fast, he began to panick. Lyra stiffened but didn’t move, her expression stiffened.

Then, a sickly green glow filled the room, the shadows stretched and bent around the room. From a corner, a figure stepped forward.

Serena.

Or at least, what was left of her.

Her body was twisted, her back hunched unnaturally like a weasel ready to pounce. Her limbs seemed too long, her fingers curled into claw-like shapes. Her once-beautiful face stretched into something sly and cruel, her lips curled into a grin that was too sharp, too knowing. Her eyes glowed faintly, like the eyes of an animal stalking prey in the dark. Her hair hung wild and matted around her face, making her look more beast than human.

She leaned lazily against the doorway, smirking. “Oh, how sweet. You’ve been talking about me.” She said softly, mocking every word. She tilted her head, the grin spreading wider. “I have to admit… it’s flattering.”

Maya stumbled back, her hand covering her mouth. “Serena…you.

Lyra's hand flew to her mouth. “No… no, you’re dead. We saw you die.”

Serena laughed, it was loud and sharp, echoing off the walls. “Dead? Oh, Lyra, you really are sweet but death doesn’t want me. I’m too much fun.” She spun around like she was showing off, then bowed. “See? Still here, better than ever.”

Damien stepped forward, his gaze hardened. “You’re not Serena anymore. What are you?”

She turned her glowing eyes on him, licking her lips slowly. “Oh, Damien. Always the serious one, always the hero but you’re wrong, I am Serena. The real one, the one who stopped pretending.” She grinned wider. “This is who I was always meant to be.”

Jack’s voice shook as he spoke. “You’re lying. Serena would never do this ehen though she was weird and she acted all familiar.”

Serena leaned close to him, her grin stretching. “Oh, Jack, poor Jack you think you knew me? You only knew what I let you see.”

Jack’s body stiffened, he gasped as his eyes widened.

Lyra lifted her knife. “Why show yourself now? What do you want?”

Serena laughed again, tossing her hair back. “Because it’s more fun this way. Watching you squirm, watching you guess, watching you lose.” She twirled and placed a clawed hand on her hip. “Besides, I look fabulous like this, don’t I?”

Maya shook her head, whispering, “You’re a monster.”

Serena bowed again, smiling like she was proud. “Thank you, finally someone admits it.”

Damien’s voice was firm, his fists trembling at his sides. “What do you want?”

Her yellow eyes glowed brighter. “What do I want?” She tapped a claw against her chin like she was thinking. “Hmm… I want fear, I want chaos and most of all…” She pointed her claw straight at Jack. “I want him.”

Jack’s eyes widened. “Me? Why me?”

Serena circled him, moving like a predator playing with its prey. “Because you dreamt of men and you can see me when the others don’t. We have a bond, Jack. You belong to me.”

“Stay away from him!” Damien shouted, stepping between them.

But Serena only laughed, her voice high and mocking. “Brave Alpha, always ready to fight but this isn’t your battle, Damien. This one is his.”

Lyra whispered." I taught you were here for Damien.

Serena smiled." I have all the time in the world to kill the true Alpha, i want Jack first.

The lights flickered again. The air turned cold, pressing against their skin. Maya screamed and stumbled back, nearly falling over a chair.

Serena’s claws shot out and grabbed Jack’s arm.

“Damien!” Jack yelled, panic flooding his voice. He tried to pull free, but her grip was tight.

Lyra rushed forward, slashing her knife through Serena’s arm. The blade cut her but it didn't leave a mark.

Serena winked at Lyra, saliva drooling from her fangs. “Cute try but this is my game.”

Jack’s body shook as he tried to fight her grip. “Please, let me go!”

Serena leaned close to him, whispering in his ear. “Don’t worry, Jack. You’ll enjoy it, I promise.”

And then the light exploded, blinding them all.

When it cleared, the room was empty.

Serena was gone, and so was Jack.