Chapter 10 The Seer's Door

Elira had never seen the forest this way before. It was darker now, more alive-its branches reaching like skeletal fingers toward her as she and Kian pushed deeper into the undergrowth. The moonlight barely filtered through the trees, and every crunch of leaves beneath their feet felt like a warning.

"How far is this place?" she asked, clutching her jacket tighter around her.

Kian didn't look back. "Far enough to be forgotten. Close enough to find-if you're willing to lose something."

Elira frowned. "Lose what?"

"Whatever you think is true."

They reached a clearing surrounded by gnarled trees twisted in unnatural spirals. In the center stood a single wooden door-no walls, no hinges, just a door standing upright in the dirt, framed by fog.

"That's it?" she asked. "A door?"

Kian nodded grimly. "It's not what's behind it. It's what it remembers."

As he stepped closer, Elira hesitated. Her fingers tingled. The tattoo on her shoulder blade began to burn.

Kian placed a hand on the door. "Only one of us can go through."

"Why?"

"Because she's waiting for *you*, not me."

He reached into his pocket and handed her the coin again. "If anything goes wrong-think of who you are. Hold on to it."

Before she could protest, the door creaked open. A blinding white light spilled out.

Elira stepped forward-and the moment she crossed the threshold, the world changed.

***

She was in a circular room made entirely of glass. The sky above was swirling purple and blue, stars shooting in every direction. Books floated around her, pages flipping on their own. Candles lit themselves as she passed. And at the center stood an old woman cloaked in silver, her long hair braided with feathers, stones, and thin strands of smoke.

"You've come late," the Seer said, without turning around. Her voice was soft and ancient, like thunder that had grown tired.

"You know who I am?" Elira asked.

"I know who you *think* you are," the Seer replied, finally facing her. Her eyes were white-no pupils, no color.

"I want to know the truth," Elira said. "What happened to me? Why am I in her body? Why was she taken?"

The Seer raised a finger and a mirror appeared beside them. It showed flashes: the accident. The real Elira's body lying still. Kian shouting. A hand reaching through fire. A deal sealed in darkness.

"You died," the Seer said. "But not fully. And she was pulled with you."

Elira's throat tightened. "So who am I now?"

"You are both. Half and half. Soulwoven."

"That's not possible."

"Neither is living twice. Yet here you are."

The mirror changed again-this time showing a shadowy figure in a long coat, watching Elira sleep.

"That man," the Seer whispered. "He orchestrated the switch. The Collector."

"Why?"

"Because Elira knew something. Something worth burying."

Elira's heart pounded. "Then tell me what it is."

The Seer closed her eyes. "I can't. But I can unlock it."

She stepped forward, placing two fingers on Elira's temple.

The room went silent.

Then-

Flashes.

Blood. Screams. A key hidden beneath floorboards. A face-half-shadowed-saying her name like a curse. "Elira. She must not live."

Elira gasped and stumbled back.

The Seer withdrew her hand. "You've seen too little to stop what's coming. But enough to know you must run."

"Run? From what?"

"Not what. *Who.*"

The mirror cracked.

"Elira," the Seer whispered. "He's found you."

Suddenly, the door behind her slammed open. Kian's voice roared through the light: "ELIRA!"

The Seer thrust something into her hand-a shard of glass glowing faintly. "The truth is fractured. Only *you* can piece it back."

And then, with a sound like rushing wind, Elira was pulled backward through the door, into Kian's arms.

Behind them, the Seer's sanctuary exploded into light-and was gone.

***

They stood alone in the forest again, breathless.

"What did she show you?" Kian asked.

Elira looked at the glowing shard in her hand. "She showed me who's hunting us."

"And?"

Elira raised her eyes. "It's not just about me. It's not just about Elira. It's about a secret someone buried-deep enough to kill for."

Kian's jaw tightened. "Then we better start digging."

Elira nodded. "Before they bury us next."

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