Chapter 54: The Awakening

The air in the sterile room crackled with electricity. Ivy gasped as another jolt of pain shot through her abdomen, sharper than the first. Her back arched, and her hands clutched the thin sheets as the temperature around her dropped to an unnatural chill.

Then—a silence so thick it hummed.

The monitors around her flickered and flatlined, their rhythmic beeping replaced by one long, deafening tone. The fluorescent lights above her head buzzed before exploding in a shower of sparks, plunging the room into darkness.

Ivy's scream caught in her throat.

From within her belly came another shift—this time deeper, as though her child was stretching, reaching. The walls seemed to vibrate with a pulsing energy, and then… the door burst open.

Elias rushed in, followed by two others in white coats, their faces twisted in panic.

“What’s happening?” one of them cried, rushing to the monitor.

“The power’s dead—everything’s down!”

Elias didn’t answer. He was staring at Ivy.

No—at her belly.

It glowed faintly. Golden veins of light shimmered beneath her skin, moving like lightning trapped under glass. Her eyes met his, terrified, begging.

“What did you do to me?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

He approached slowly, almost reverently. “It’s not what we did, Ivy. It’s what your baby is becoming.”

Before she could respond, the room convulsed again. Objects flew off shelves, metal instruments rattled, and a sharp, ear-piercing whine filled the air.

Suddenly, everything stopped.

No sound. No movement. Just Ivy, breathing raggedly on the bed. Her baby had stopped moving—but the feeling in the room told her it wasn’t over. It was only the beginning.

Asher slammed his fist against the locked iron door for the tenth time, his voice hoarse from shouting. “Let me see her! Elias, open the damn door!”

But the guards outside didn’t flinch. They stood stoically, unmoving.

He turned back, pacing furiously. Every fibre in his body screamed that something was wrong. He felt it—like a wire pulled too tight, ready to snap.

“Ivy,” he murmured, pressing his forehead against the cold stone wall. “What are they doing to you?”

A soft rustle caught his attention. He turned sharply—Marilyn.

His mother stood at the edge of the corridor, eyes shadowed and unreadable.

“You shouldn’t have stopped me,” he growled.

“I had to,” she replied coolly. “She was putting the child at risk.”

“By escaping? Maybe she had a reason!”

Marilyn stepped forward. “Asher, this child isn’t normal. You know that.”

“She’s my child,” he said, voice low and dangerous. “And I won’t let you or Seraphina or anyone else treat her like an experiment.”

“She’s more than a child. She’s a power we cannot begin to understand. And if she chooses wrong—if Ivy chooses wrong—she could bring ruin to us all.”

Asher narrowed his eyes. “Then maybe it’s not Ivy who needs watching.”

And with that, he stormed past her, a new plan forming in his mind.

He would get to Ivy—one way or another.

Ivy sat up, trembling. The glow had faded, but her body still ached with something deep and ancient. Something that didn’t feel entirely hers.

Elias returned with Seraphina at his side, her face pale.

“We have to move up the timeline,” she said grimly. “The ritual must happen within the next twenty-four hours.”

“No,” Ivy said firmly. “You’re not performing anything on me or my child.”

Seraphina raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have a say.”

“I do,” Ivy hissed, eyes blazing. “You might think I’m weak, but I’ve survived too much to let anyone control me again.”

Elias stepped in, trying to calm the tension. “This isn’t about control. It’s about protection. That surge of power could’ve killed you, Ivy. The baby is unlocking something dormant—something tied to both bloodlines. Without guidance, it could consume you both.”

“I don’t need your rituals,” Ivy snapped. “I need the father of this baby, and I need out.”

Seraphina’s lips thinned. “Then you leave us no choice.”

She nodded, and two guards entered.

“Wait!” Elias protested. “Let me try one last time to reason with her.”

Seraphina gave a curt nod and left, leaving Elias and Ivy alone.

Elias sat beside her again, eyes heavy with something close to regret.

“I should’ve told you sooner,” he murmured. “Before Asher ever met you… I saw a vision.”

Ivy’s breath hitched.

“What kind of vision?”

“You. Pregnant. Standing in a ring of fire. The child glowing like a star But behind you… was darkness. A figure, cloaked and unrecognizable. Watching. Waiting.”

Ivy’s pulse quickened. “What does it mean?”

“I don’t know,” Elias admitted. “But I believe that figure was the true danger. Not you. Not the baby.”

Ivy looked down at her belly. “Then why all the rituals and tests?”

“Because Seraphina fears what she can’t control. She thinks if she binds the child early, it won’t fall to darkness.”

“But you don’t believe that?”

“I believe it’s not the baby we need to fear—it’s whoever is watching.”

A silence fell between them.

And then, Elias leaned in and whispered, “I can get you out.”

Ivy’s eyes widened.

“But you’ll have to trust me… more than you trust Asher.”

Later that night, Elias returned dressed in a guard’s uniform. He slipped into Ivy’s room and quickly disconnected her IV, helping her stand.

They crept through the corridors, moving between shadowed columns and silent patrols. Ivy’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure someone would hear.

They reached a hidden door behind the west wing—a passage Elias claimed led outside.

But before they could open it—

A voice rang out.

“Going somewhere?”

They froze.

Seraphina stood at the end of the hall, flanked by Marilyn and two guards.

“You disappoint me, Elias.”

He stepped in front of Ivy. “She’s not staying here. I won’t let you turn her into a sacrifice.”

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. “It was never a sacrifice. It was salvation.”

“Liar,” Ivy spat. “You’re afraid. That’s all.”

Seraphina raised her hand, and the guards moved forward.

Suddenly, Elias pulled out a small vial and threw it to the ground—a blinding flash of light exploded, momentarily stunning everyone.

“Go!” Elias shouted, pushing Ivy through the door.

She didn’t look back.

The cool air of the forest hit her like a wave, and Ivy stumbled forward into the underbrush, branches snapping beneath her bare feet. She ran blindly, not knowing where to go, only that she had to keep moving.

Behind her, voices shouted—searchers already pouring into the trees.

And then—arms grabbed her.

She screamed—until she saw the face.

Asher.

He looked wild, desperate, and relieved all at once.

“I found you,” he breathed. “Come on—we have to keep moving.”

They ran.

They reached an abandoned cabin miles from the compound, tucked between dense pines. Asher locked the door and turned to her.

“Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” Ivy whispered. “It’s getting stronger. I can feel it… inside me.”

Asher’s eyes darkened. “Then we’re running out of time.”

She moved to sit down—and cried out in pain.

Asher rushed to her side, kneeling.

“What is it?”

She looked down.

And froze.

On her belly, just beneath the skin, a mark had appeared. Glowing.

A perfect circle with two intertwined symbols—one of light, one of said dow.

Asher’s blood drained from his face.

“I’ve seen that before,” he whispered.

“Where?”

He swallowed.

“On the tomb of the Seer who foretold our bloodline’s destruction.”