The cabin felt colder that evening. Lyra had wrapped a blanket around herself, but even that did little to chase away the chill in her bones. She stood near the hearth, staring at the dying embers of the fire, her mind swirling with thoughts of Kael, Marcus, and the prophecy that had thrown her life into chaos.
The truth about her power still weighed heavily on her, and despite her progress, the fear of losing control gnawed at her insides. What if she failed? What if the power inside her wasn't something she could command? Worse, what if it consumed her completely?
Kael's voice echoed in her mind. "You're strong enough."
Was she?
A soft knock at the door broke the silence. Lyra's heart skipped a beat, tension wrapping around her like a tight cord. For a moment, she froze, her pulse quickening as the possibility of danger flashed through her mind. But then, the door creaked open, and Kael stepped inside, his eyes immediately finding hers.