Chapter 5 Whispers of Prophecy

[Seraphine's POV]

I stand by the window in my room. The city of Halewick lies below. The moon casts a pale light. The streets stay silent. The quiet makes my chest feel heavy. I am alone, not because no one is near, but because secrets weigh on me. I cannot share them with anyone.

My hand presses against the glass. The cold seeps into my fingers. Dreams haunt me every night. A girl with green eyes appears. She looks angry. She looks strong. She speaks my name in a voice that shakes me. A strange voice echoes in my head. It talks about twins, blood, and the moon. I do not understand the words. A bad feeling grows inside me. Something terrible is coming. I cannot stop it.

The door creaks open. Darian Voss steps inside. His dark eyes meet mine. He looks calm but serious. He carries papers tied with a black ribbon. "Seraphine," he says. His voice is soft. "I hear things at the court."

I turn to face him. I try to keep my face still. My heart beats faster. "What do you hear?" I ask.

He steps closer. His voice drops low. "The council is afraid. They speak of trouble among the vampire houses. They mention a prophecy. Twins born from blood that should not exist. They believe it will destroy us."

My breath catches. The prophecy again. I swallow hard. "That prophecy," I say.

Darian nods. "Evelyn searches old books. She thinks the twins could save us or ruin us."

I look at him. My voice is steady. "You think it involves me."

"Yes," he says. "Your dreams. The council watches you closely."

I turn back to the window. The moonlight feels heavy. I feel eyes on me, even though no one is here. "I do not know what to believe," I say.

Darian places his hand on my shoulder. His touch is warm. "You are strong, Seraphine. We will face this together."

I nod slowly. His words comfort me. My heart still feels unsure. I am glad he stands with me, but the weight of secrets grows heavier.

Later, I walk to the library in Nocturne Court. The room is dark. Tall shelves line the walls. Dust hangs in the air. Evelyn waits there. She looks excited. She holds an old scroll in her hands. "This is the prophecy," she says. "It speaks of twins. One of night. One of fang. Their choices will change our kind forever."

I step closer. I look at the scroll. The words are faint. They are written in an old script. I struggle to read them. My eyes trace the lines. "The moon and the blood," Evelyn says. Her voice is soft. "The lost will be found. The world will change."

My head feels full. The words press against my thoughts. Is the girl in my dreams my sister? A sister I never knew? The idea makes my chest ache. I want to know her. I fear what it means.

Evelyn speaks again. "Be careful. The council fears the prophecy. They think it brings danger."

I close my hands tight. My nails dig into my palms. "I will find the truth. No matter what," I say.

The library feels colder now. I leave Evelyn and return to my room. Morning light creeps through the window. My thoughts are heavy. A silver pendant rests on my table. It bears a crescent moon. My father, Valentin Mircea, gave it to me long ago. It stands for our family. It reminds me of secrets he kept. I touch it. The metal is smooth. I wonder what he hid from me.

The next day, I wear the dark robes of Nocturne Court. I walk through the grand halls. The air smells of smoke and old stone. Servants step aside as I pass. Their eyes show respect. They also show fear. I feel their gazes on my back. I keep my head high. I will not let them see my doubt.

I enter the council room. The elders sit around a long table. Their faces look old. Their eyes look strong. My aunt, Lady Mircea, leads them. Her gaze is sharp. I take my seat. My heart pounds. I keep my face calm. "Seraphine," Lady Mircea says. Her voice cuts the air. "You bring bad news."

I nod. "People speak of the prophecy. Twins born from blood that should not be," I say.

The elders whisper among themselves. Their voices are low. They sound worried.

Lady Mircea's eyes narrow. "Your father kept secrets for years. The council is not pleased. The prophecy threatens our peace."

An elder speaks. His voice is rough. "We must consider this carefully. If the twins exist, they could aid us. They could also harm us. We must be cautious."

I feel their judgment. It presses against me. "I do not know what the prophecy means for me. I will find the truth," I say.

Lady Mircea's eyes soften for a moment. "Your father valued family. He valued loyalty. He did much to protect you. We must honor his efforts."

The council continues. They discuss trust. They discuss dangers. I listen to every word. My path becomes clear. The prophecy is not a story. It shapes my life now.

The meeting ends. I linger in the hallway. The heavy wooden doors close behind me. I stand alone with Lady Mircea. Her eyes look kinder now. "Seraphine, you carry a great burden. You are young," she says.

I meet her gaze. "I am not sure I can do this," I say.

She nods. "Your father believed in strength. He hid things from you. He did not mean to hurt you. He wanted you safe from enemies. Some we know. Some we do not."

I speak softly. "I feel like a piece in a game. I do not understand the rules."

"You are more than that," Lady Mircea says. She touches my shoulder. "You are important. You choose your path. You can bring good. You can bring bad."

I swallow hard. Her words carry the weight of my family. "What if I fail?" I ask.

"Failure teaches," she says. "But be careful. Not every kind face is a friend. Trust must be earned."

She walks away. Her footsteps echo in the hall. I stand alone. Fear stirs in me. Readiness grows too.

That night, I meet Darian in my room. Candles burn low. The walls seem to move in the light. "They grow bold," Darian says. His voice is serious. "The Pure cult. They are near the borders. They leave bones with strange carvings. They want war between us."

I frown. "Why do they act now?" I ask.

"We are divided," he says. "They see the prophecy as a threat. They fear the twins. They want to destroy vampires and wolves."

I close my hands tight. "We must be stronger. We cannot let their hate defeat us," I say.

Darian nods. "I will find allies. You must prepare. The path will be hard."

I look at the window. Moonlight falls on my face. "I will not let fear stop me. I will find the truth," I say.

I dream that night. The Oracle appears. She wears silver. She wears shadow. Her voice sounds like wind through trees. "You are the lost," she says. "Two halves. Tied by blood. Tied by moonlight. The path is hard. The spark will guide you."

I reach for her. My hand grasps air. She is gone.

"The moon and the blood," her voice echoes. "The lost will be found. The world will change."

I wake. My heart beats loud. The prophecy is not just words. It is my duty.

Morning comes. Halewick stirs under a weak sun. In Nocturne Court, secrets move like shadows. The twins' fate draws closer. I hold the pendant to my chest. The path is dangerous. Betrayal waits. I will not stop.

I whisper to the air. "For my sister. For my family. I will not let fear win."

The days pass slowly. I walk the halls of Nocturne Court. I listen to whispers. Servants speak of the prophecy. Nobles avoid my gaze. I feel their fear. I feel their doubt. I keep my head high. I will not show weakness.

I return to the library often. Evelyn shares more scrolls. She reads passages aloud. Her voice is steady. "The twins are tied to the moon," she says. "Their power can heal. It can destroy." I nod. The words sink into me. I wonder about the girl in my dreams. Is she real? Is she like me?

Darian joins us sometimes. He brings news from the borders. "The Pure cult grows bolder," he says. "They attack small villages. They leave bones as warnings." His words make my stomach twist. I want to act. I want to stop them.

Lady Mircea calls more meetings. The elders argue. Some want to fight the cult alone. Others want to seek allies. I speak when they ask. "We need the wolves," I say. "The Ashwood pack could help us. Division will destroy us." My voice is firm. My hands shake under the table.

The council debates for hours. I sit still. I listen. My thoughts drift to the girl with green eyes. I see her face in my mind. She looks like me. She feels like family. I want to find her. I fear what it will cost.

One evening, I stand by my window again. The moon is full. Its light fills the room. I hold the pendant. It feels warm now. I think of my father. What did he know? Why did he keep secrets? I feel angry. I feel sad. I miss him.

Darian visits again. "The council moves slowly," he says. "But we cannot wait. The cult plans something big." I nod. I feel the weight of his words. "We need spies," I say. "We need to know their plans." Darian agrees. He leaves to gather trusted men.

I sit alone. The candles flicker. I think of the prophecy. It binds me. It frightens me. I want to be free. I want to be strong. I close my eyes. I see the girl again. She calls my name. I reach for her. My heart aches.

The next day, I meet Evelyn in the library. She shows me a new book. "This speaks of the Oracle," she says. "A guide for the twins." I read the pages. The words are old. They speak of a figure in silver. They speak of a spark. I feel hope. I feel fear.

I walk to the council room again. The air feels heavier. The elders look tired. Lady Mircea speaks of new attacks. "The Pure cult strikes closer," she says. "We must act soon." I nod. I feel ready. I feel scared.

I speak to Darian later. "We need to move," I say. "The cult will not wait." He nods. "I have men ready," he says. "We will scout the borders." I trust him. I fear for him.

The nights grow longer. I dream of the Oracle every night. Her voice stays with me. "The lost will be found," she says. I wake with tears. I want to find my sister. I want to understand my place.

I stand by the window. Halewick sleeps below. The moon watches. I hold the pendant. I whisper again. "For my family. I will not let fear win."

The prophecy pulls me forward. I cannot turn back. I am Seraphine. I am important. I will find the truth.