CHAPTER 123: SALISTRA ARATHORNE

"Nice to finally meet you in person, Lilith," the woman said, her voice soft and slightly raspy.

Lilith stared at her, eyes wide with disbelief. Questions swirled in her mind, confusion flooding her senses. "What are you doing here? This... this can’t be possible. You were supposed to be in my dreams," she whispered.

"It’s very possible," the woman replied. "I’m as real as you and everyone else in this building. I’ve been real for a very, very long time." She blinked slowly, twice. "I appeared in your dreams to warn you of what’s to come and to tell you to stay away from the devil. But you ignored my warning. And now... we’re all doomed."

Lilith narrowed her eyes. "What are you talking about? You keep mentioning this ’devil’ and how we’re doomed, but you never explain anything. How am I supposed to know who the devil is?"

The woman’s face tightened. "Do not raise your voice at me, child. And do not lie." She took a step forward. "Deep down, in your heart, you know who the devil is. But you refuse to accept it. Out of selfishness."

"I don’t know who you are or what you want from me, but I won’t stand here and let you confuse me even more," Lilith said, slowly backing toward the door.

"You will know what you’ve done soon enough," the woman whispered, her posture eerily still. The hem of her dress was so long it completely covered her feet. "You can run now, but you cannot escape me, Lilith."

Lilith swallowed hard, turned, and opened the door.

"Till we meet again, child. And it will be soon," the woman’s voice called as the door shut behind her.

Lilith stood just outside, panting, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to regain her composure. Just then, a beautifully dressed young girl approached the powder room. Lilith forced a smile and stepped aside to let her pass. The girl gave her a strange look before entering.

Lilith peeked into the room behind her. It was completely empty.

Where did she go? Lilith wondered, a chill running through her.

She took a few steadying breaths, composed herself, and began walking back toward the ballroom. The first familiar face she spotted was Charlotte’s.

"Lilith, you look pale. Are you alright?" Charlotte asked, concern softening her voice.

"Yes, yes, of course. I’m fine. Probably just a little exhausted, that’s all," Lilith replied with a wide smile.

Charlotte didn’t look entirely convinced but nodded anyway. "Very well. We’ll be leaving for Valyron soon. His Highness and Viktor are speaking with the king. "

Lilith frowned. "It’s still dark out. Why aren’t we waiting until dawn?"

She glanced at the clock, it was nearly 1 a.m. Far too early for travel, especially after the demon attack earlier that night. Who knew what else could be lurking in the shadows?

"I don’t know," Charlotte said with a shrug. "But I’m not in a position to question the prince’s orders. Perhaps you can ask him when he returns."

Lilith noted how unfazed Charlotte seemed by the idea of traveling at such an hour.

"Alright. I’ll just sit over there and wait," she said, moving to the refreshment table. She took a few biscuits and a cupcake, then settled into her seat. As soon as she bit into the cupcake, she realized just how hungry she was. It didn’t take long to finish the snacks.

A few minutes later, Hades and Viktor returned, and the group began making their way to the carriages. Viktor, Charlotte, and Kathryn entered one, while Lilith joined the prince in another.

"Are you alright?" Hades asked as the carriage rolled into motion, turning to look at her. His hand gently covered hers, resting on her lap.

Lilith glanced down at their joined hands before meeting his gaze. "I’m alright, Your Highness," she said with a smile. "B ,ut... why are we leaving so late? Aren’t you worried those demons might attack us again in the dark?"

Hades smiled and ran his thumb along hers. "You don’t have to worry about that. The demons won’t attack us."

His answer was vague and didn’t help settle her nerves, but she smiled anyway and turned her gaze to the window. There wasn’t much to see only the faint glow of the carriage’s lantern casting shifting shadows outside.

She closed her eyes, hoping to rest until they reached the castle. The only sounds that filled the carriage were the steady rolling of the wheels, the distant shriek of a crow, and the eerie howl of wolves in the depths of the forest.

Slowly, Lilith drifted into sleep. Her head bobbed gently with the movement of the carriage.

Then her eyelid twitched, and when she opened her eyes again—she was no longer in the carriage.

She stood in the middle of now here, on a small, isolated patch of land surrounded by water. A thick fog blanketed the area, so dense she couldn’t see the edges of the water. There was no sound, no breeze. Just stillness and mist.

She narrowed her eyes, trying to make sense of what was happening. Lilith looked down at herself, she was dressed in a black gown, identical to the one worn by the woman she had seen in the powder room. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders.

"I’m sure you have questions. We started off on the wrong foot. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Salistra Arathorne," a voice said.

Lilith spun around, her gaze darting acro,ss the fog-shrouded landscape, but there was no one in sight.

,

"Show yourself!" she called out. "Who are you?"

"I am Salistra Arathorne," the voice repeated.

Lilith froze. Slowly, she turned around and there she was. The woman from the powder room, standing just behind her, wearing the same elegant dress.

"You..." Lilith breathed. "Why am I here? Why are you here?"

"You’re here because you seek answers. And I, generous as I am, am willing to give them," Salistra said, beginning to circle her.

Lilith remained still, wary. As she glanced into the water beside them, her breath caught. The reflection was different. Instead of the youthful woman before her, the water showed an ancient figure with deeply wrinkled skin and long, thinning white hair. The contrast was startling. And yet, there was nothing frightening in the old woman’s eyes.

Lilith tore her eyes from the reflection and looked back at Salistra. "Are you a witch?"

Salistra smiled faintly. "Indeed I am. A witch from one of the most powerful tribes that ever existed. I’ll tell you all about it someday, but today is not that day. We don’t have time for irrelevant conversations, we’re running out of time."

Lilith’s brow creased. "What do you mean we’re running out of time?"

"It means exactly what it sounds like. Or would you like me to explain the concept of urgency to you?" Salistra quipped.

Lilith narrowed her eyes. "You said there’s no time for nonsense. Isn’t this conversation nonsense? Just tell me why I’m here."

"I see the prince’s loose tongue is beginning to rub off on you," Salistra said with a raised brow.

"I’ve always had a loose tongue," Lilith replied without missing a beat.

Salistra laughed, a sharp, echoing sound that rang through the fog. "You’re a funny one. I think I like you already," she said, wiping nonexistent tears from the corners of her eyes.

Lilith stepped forward. "You keep talking about a devil. Who is he? And what does he have to do with me?"

"I won’t tell you," Salistra said calmly. "I’ll show you."

She extended her hand toward Lilith, and before Lilith could move, Salistra pressed her palm to her forehead.

Lilith’s body hit the ground.

~~~

When she opened her eyes, she was back in the burning castle.

Smoke choked the air. The red glow of fire lit up the walls as she descended the grand staircase, surrounded by distorted bodies. Her feet carried her forward.

Outside the castle doors, Charlotte lay lifeless on the ground, a wooden stake protruding from her chest. Lilith forced her gaze away, swallowing hard.

Then came the screech, by the same piercing, bone-deep sound. Lilith clutched her ears, but she kept walking, every step heavier than the last.

And then she saw him.

The figure.

The same man in the black coat. The same stance.

Every breath hurt. Her heart twisted in her chest as though resisting the truth.

But this time, she was determined to see him.

Blood trickled from her nose and ears as she reached out a trembling hand. Just before she could touch him, her knees gave out, and she collapsed, gasping, her fingers clawing at her chest.

She saw his boots shift. He turned slowly to face her. Lilith looked up. And her heart stopped.

"Good to see you again, Lilith," he said.

He crouched beside her, gently dragging his thumb across the blood on her cheek. Then, without flinching, he licked the blood from his thumb.

Lilith couldn’t breathe. Her eyes widened in horror, barely able to comprehend the face before her. The man she had seen countless times. The man she had kissed.

The prince.