CHAPTER 16 - The Hidden Test

The answer stared back at me before I was ready to see it.

I held my breath. Not because I wanted hope. Not because I wanted fear. I held it because my body already knew.

Two lines.

Clear. Certain. Unforgiving.

My hands trembled as I stared down at the test. I waited for it to change. I waited for my vision to blur enough to make it lie.

It didn’t.

I swallowed hard. My throat burned.

So Sera wasn’t guessing. She wasn’t afraid of anything.

They were right.

I was pregnant.

I lowered myself onto the edge of the bed slowly, like any sharp movement might shatter something inside me. My heart was racing. Too fast. Too loud.

A child.

My child.

And suddenly, everything made sense. The pull in my chest. The strange warmth beneath my skin. The way my power had started responding before my mind could keep up.

I pressed my hand over my stomach.

Nothing moved. Nothing answered.

But I felt it anyway.

A quiet presence. Small. Steady.

“You’re real,” I whispered.

The words tasted dangerous.

I wrapped the test in tissue and shoved it deep into my bag. I didn’t hesitate. Hesitation was a weakness now.

No one could know.

Not Damon. Not Sera. Not even Lucian.

Especially not Lucian.

The thought of him made my spine stiffen. He saw too much. Knew too much. And his loyalty had never been simple.

I stood, smoothing my clothes, forcing my face into calmness. Control was everything.

Then the door opened.

I turned fast.

Lucian stepped inside like he owned the space. His eyes lifted to mine instantly. Sharp. Focused.

“You’re late,” he said.

My pulse spiked, but I kept my voice steady. “I needed a moment.”

His gaze flicked to my bag. Then to my face again.

“A moment rarely looks like panic,” he replied.

“I’m fine,” I said.

He studied me in silence. Too long. Too closely.

“You smell different,” he said quietly.

My breath caught. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t insult me,” he replied. “Your energy shifted.”

I forced a small laugh. “Maybe I’m tired.”

“Lying tires you,” he said.

I crossed my arms. “Why are you here?”

He stepped closer. Not threatening. Not gentle. Just a present.

“Because places like this attract secrets,” he said. “And secrets attract danger.”

I felt my grip tighten on my arms. “You had no right to come in unannounced.”

“I never knock when I suspect trouble,” he replied.

Silence stretched between us.

My thoughts raced. Did he know? Could he feel it?

“You took a test,” he said suddenly.

The words hit like a blow.

“No,” I replied instantly.

He raised a brow. “That was fast.”

“I came here for routine checks,” I said. “After the awakening.”

“That part is true,” he said.

My heart pounded. “Then stop pushing.”

He watched me carefully. “Your heartbeat changed when I mentioned the test.”

I said nothing.

He stepped back a fraction, then spoke softly. “Are you afraid?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“That’s another lie,” he said. “But I won’t force you.”

I stared at him. “Why?”

His lips pressed into a thin line. “Because some truths kill faster when spoken.”

I didn’t relax. I couldn’t.

He turned slightly, as if considering leaving, then paused.

“If you are hiding something,” he said, “you need to be smarter.”

My chest tightened. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s advice,” he replied. “From someone who has buried many people who thought silence was safety.”

I swallowed.

He looked at me again. “Did you tell Damon?”

“No,” I said, the truth this time.

“Good,” he replied.

I frowned. “Good?”

“Damon would burn the world for you,” Lucian said. “And that would draw attention.”

I held his gaze. “From who?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he stepped closer again, his voice dropping.

“Secrets rot fast,” he said. “Tell no one.”

A chill ran down my spine.

“I won’t,” I said.

He nodded once. “Then listen carefully.”

I straightened.

“There are those who watch bloodlines,” he continued. “They don’t need proof. Suspicion is enough.”

I clenched my jaw. “So what do I do?”

“You survive,” he said. “And you protect what’s yours.”

I pressed my hand against my side unconsciously.

His eyes followed the movement.

For a heartbeat, everything stopped.

Then he looked away.

“You should leave,” he said. “Now.”

I frowned. “Why?”

His jaw tightened. “Because this place just went quiet.”

As if summoned by his words, a sharp click echoed.

Locks.

My pulse jumped. “What was that?”

Lucian moved to the door. He tested it. It didn’t budge.

“Locked,” he said calmly.

“By who?” I asked.

He didn’t answer right away. He placed a hand against the wall, eyes unfocused for a brief second.

“Multiple heartbeats,” he said. “Too controlled to be staff.”

Fear slid cold through my veins. “They found me.”

“Not yet,” he said. “But they’re close.”

I stepped back. “This can’t be happening.”

“It always happens,” he replied. “The moment a secret becomes valuable.”

A loud bang echoed outside.

I flinched.

Lucian turned back to me. “Did anyone see you take the test?”

“No,” I said. “I was careful.”

“Careful is not invisible,” he replied.

Another sound. Voices. Shouting.

My heart raced. “What do they want?”

He looked at me, eyes dark. “Confirmation.”

My stomach twisted.

“What if they don’t get it?” I asked.

“Then they take you,” he replied.

I shook my head. “They can’t.”

“They will try,” he said. “And others will follow.”

I felt the weight of it then. Not just fear. Responsibility.

“They can’t have my child,” I whispered.

Lucian’s gaze softened. Just slightly. “Then you must become someone they can’t touch.”

The door shook under another impact.

I took a step closer to him. “You said tell no one.”

“I did,” he replied.

“And you won’t?” I asked.

He met my eyes. “I didn’t hear anything.”

Relief and terror tangled inside me.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

He nodded once. “Remember this feeling.”

“What feeling?” I asked.

“This moment,” he said. “When you realize the world will not protect you.”

The door cracked.

Shouts grew louder.

Lucian positioned himself between me and the entrance.

“Stay behind me,” he said.

I shook my head. “I won’t hide.”

He glanced back at me. “You’re carrying more than power now.”

I met his gaze. “Then they should be afraid.”

The door burst inward.

And the first masked figure stepped through.

As alarms screamed and shadows rushed in, I knew one thing with terrifying clarity: this was no longer about me surviving, but about whether my child would ever be born free.