Chapter 8 The first flame

The fire crackled softly in Luca's cabin as Maxine sat opposite him, wrapped in a woolen cloak. The night outside was silent-too silent. As if the forest itself were holding its breath.

Luca opened a thick, leather-bound book. Its pages were brittle with age, ink faded but still legible. The air smelled of smoke and secrets.

"She was called Elira," Luca began. "The first tribrid. Born over two hundred years ago, before the covens, packs, and blood courts fractured the realm."

Maxine leaned in. "What happened to her?"

Luca turned the page. An illustration showed a woman with silver hair, eyes rimmed in violet fire, standing between three armies.

"She was a daughter of peace-but made for war. Her birth was seen as a threat by all three bloodlines. Wolves feared her magic. Witches feared her hunger. Vampires feared her ability to walk in the sun."

He looked up at Maxine.

"Sound familiar?"

Maxine swallowed.

"Elira was hidden most of her life. Raised by druids in the Carpathian mistlands. They taught her to control the storm inside her. But the peace couldn't last."

"What broke it?"

Luca's jaw tightened. "She fell in love-with a vampire prince. He betrayed her. Delivered her to the Warden Council in exchange for power."

Maxine's breath caught.

"They bound her in silver and oak," Luca said softly. "Tried to burn her soul away."

A pause.

"But Elira didn't die. She unleashed. Fire rained. Shadows bled. Entire bloodlines vanished."

The candle between them flickered violently.

"She vanished after that night. Some say she ascended. Others believe she buried herself in stone to protect the world from what she'd become."

Maxine stared into the fire. "You think I'm like her?"

"No," Luca said. "I think you're stronger. Elira was born into prophecy. But you were born into war."

He closed the book gently.

"And if Elira's story teaches us anything-it's that power without purpose becomes destruction."

Maxine rose slowly. Her voice was quiet, but laced with steel.

"Then I'll find my purpose. And I'll write a different ending."

Luca watched her carefully, as if seeing a shadow of Elira standing in her place.

"Let's hope the world survives it."