Chapter 101

**ARIA**

The sunlight streaming through the window felt almost oppressive. I shifted beneath the covers, the soft fabric tangled around my legs, and blinked blearily at the ceiling. My body felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. Every inch of me ached with exhaustion, deeper than anything I'd ever experienced.
When I finally turned my head to look at the clock on the nightstand, I blinked again in disbelief. 11:04 a.m. The last time I had slept this late was after one of those wild student parties Riley had dragged me to—where the aftermath involved greasy food, questionable life choices, and endless naps.

This was different. Worse. No hangover could explain the way the twins seemed to be draining every drop of energy from my body.

From the other side of the bedroom door, I caught the low murmur of voices. I strained to listen, recognizing them immediately—Austin and Adam.

"I thought we would have more time," Austin said, his voice tight with frustration.

Adam's response was quieter but clear. "We don’t have a choice anymore."

A pause, then Adam added, "Sasha should be arriving soon. He might know something we don’t."

Their words set my nerves jangling. Instinctively, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, though the simple act left me dizzy and breathless. Before my toes even touched the floor, the door opened, and Austin stepped in, with Adam right behind him.

Both of them scanned me like I might shatter at any second.

"Hey," Austin said softly, coming to crouch beside me. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," I admitted. "But fine."

Adam didn’t look convinced. He knelt down beside Austin, brushing a hand gently over my knee. "Do you want me to bring you something to eat?"

I shook my head. "No... I want to go downstairs. I need some air. I want to eat outside if that’s okay."

Adam and Austin exchanged a look. A whole conversation passed between them in a glance. Finally, Adam pulled out his phone and stepped aside to make a call, while Austin stayed next to me as I slowly got dressed. Even the act of putting on leggings and a light sweater felt monumental, but I forced a smile when

I turned to them.

Once I was ready, Adam returned, sliding his phone into his back pocket. "We’re set. Late breakfast on the terrace. Private. Out of sight."

The trip downstairs was slow. I hated that part the most—how every step reminded me of how fragile I suddenly was. We didn’t pass many people, and for once, I was grateful. I wasn’t in the mood for pitying glances.

We stepped outside, and the crisp autumn air hit me like a blessing. The terrace was cozy, tucked away behind a wall of ivy and stone. A few moments later, Cassius, Leila, and Rosalie joined us, plates already in their hands, their faces splitting into relieved smiles at the sight of me.

The girls swarmed me immediately.

"How are you?" Leila asked, squeezing my hand.

"You look beautiful," Rosalie added with a wink.

"I’m fine," I said, plastering on my brightest smile. "Just tired."

They accepted it, but I caught the worried glances they exchanged over my head. I sat down carefully, trying not to let the gnawing discomfort in my chest show. I hated feeling weak. I hated wondering if this was normal.

Halfway through picking at my croissant, we were interrupted by a loud, familiar voice.

"Morning, everyone!" Sasha called, bounding across the terrace with a grin and a large plate already stacked with food.

Everyone turned to look at him—Adam, Austin, Cassius—all stiffening slightly as he dropped into the nearest chair like he hadn’t a care in the world.

Sasha caught the tension and frowned around a mouthful of food. "What?"

Adam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We were hoping you’d be a little more... discreet."

"Discreet about what?" Sasha asked innocently, then shrugged. "Oh, you mean about the hybrid thing?"

The entire table went still.

Rosalie dropped her fork. Leila’s mouth fell open.

I stared at Sasha, heart hammering against my ribs. "What do you mean... the hybrid thing?"

Sasha swallowed hurriedly and wiped his mouth. "Uh, right. Well... the witches think you're pregnant with hybrid twins. Which, you know, would explain why you’re so wiped out. They’re apparently sucking up all your energy. And, uh..." He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Adam’s supposed to bite you.
So you can survive carrying them."

The words hit like a punch to the gut.

Adam leaned closer, but I flinched instinctively, overwhelmed by the sudden flood of information.

"And there’s more," Sasha said, looking grim now. "Lord Ambrose is dead. Murdered." The air snapped cold. For a heartbeat, no one said anything. No one breathed.

"What?" Austin demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

Sasha nodded, shoving the last of his food aside. "Found dead two days ago. Stabbed through the heart and burned. Pretty brutal."

"It’s connected," Cassius said tightly. "It has to be."

Rosalie swallowed hard. "He was the only one who supported the prophecy."

Leila clutched my hand under the table, squeezing hard. I sat frozen, my mind racing. Hybrid twins. Adam biting me. Lord Ambrose dead. Everyone seemed to know about the witches' theories. Everyone except me. And now, there was no escaping it.\\n\\nI was the center of a war I barely understood. And I wasn't sure I had the strength left to fight it.