Chapter 38. Dark Selene

Stella POV

My eyes took in the sight of a woman who looked to be in her sixties, her hair a silvery grey, yet without a single wrinkle marring her face. “Meet my mother, Mia.” I recognized her instantly. Kellan had shown me pictures of his mother, whom he had been close to. He never spoke of the circumstances of her death, and I hadn't asked, knowing it pained him deeply.

“How is she alive?” I asked, trying to hide the tremor in my voice under her intense, scrutinizing gaze.

“Son, let me handle this,” she said softly. Despite her calm demeanour, a sense of unease settled in my stomach. Something felt very wrong.

“Mother, remember the promise: no harming her,” Kellan whispered so low that only my enhanced hearing, a benefit of learning magic, caught it. Kellan didn't know about my heightened senses.

“You have my word,” Mia whispered back. Kellan cast one last look at me before exiting the room and closing the door behind him.

“Daug