Chapter 1
606words
The chill from the bluestone floor seeped through my clothes and jolted my spine. I recognized this place—the abandoned training grounds of the Blake family. Towering stone pillars, now draped in moss, surrounded me while broken stained glass scattered dappled light across the morning shadows.
How the hell did I end up here?
Last night I was at the manor going over wedding details with Sebastian. Now I'm in a place no one has set foot in for a decade?
As I tried to sit up, a voice cut through the silence.
"About time you woke up."
I jerked my head up to see a small snake coiled on a stone platform nearby, its silver-white scales gleaming coldly in the dim light.
"You... you can talk?" I pushed myself up from the ground. As a Hunter, I'd seen plenty of supernatural creatures, but a talking snake? That was new.
"Of course I can. I am the great Ouroboros," the creature said in a childlike voice that clashed amusingly with its attempt at sounding ancient and wise. "Call me Oro. As for why you're here... I brought you."
"You brought me? Why?" I rose to my feet, my hand instinctively finding the silver dagger at my waist.
"Because some things must be said here." Oro lifted its head, those tiny pea-sized green eyes locking onto mine. "Ivy Black, you shouldn't—"
My phone rang, cutting him off. Sebastian's name flashed on the screen.
"Ivy? Where are you?" His voice was gentle but tinged with worry. "I checked your room, but you weren't there..."
I glanced at Oro, who had fallen silent and was waiting patiently, as if the interruption was no surprise.
"I... just stepped out for some fresh air," I lied. "I'll be back soon."
"A walk? This early?" Sebastian paused. "Ivy, is the wedding stressing you out? If you need some space..."
"No, I'm fine." I cut him off quickly. "Just running a quick errand. We'll talk when I get back."
I hung up and turned back to Oro. "Alright, spill it. What were you about to say?"
"It's simple," Oro's voice turned grave. "Don't marry him."
"Why?" I stared at the tiny snake, bewildered. "Give me one good reason."
Oro slithered across the stone, its silver body tracing elegant curves. "Some things cannot be spoken aloud."
"That's not a reason at all!" I stepped closer. "I'm marrying Sebastian tomorrow. If you've got some cryptic warning, at least tell me why."
"That man..." Oro paused, its ancient eyes seeming to look through me. "He's not who you think he is. Your relationship was never just about love."
"What the hell does that mean?" My heart began to race.
"I can't say more. But trust me, Ivy—there are secrets behind this wedding that would chill your blood."
"If you can't tell me anything useful, why even bring this up?" I threw my hands up in frustration. "What's the point of making me doubt everything the night before my wedding?"
Oro lifted its head, something complex flickering in those tiny eyes. "Because you deserve to know danger is coming. The choice, however... remains yours."
I paced in circles, my thoughts a tangled mess. A talking snake appears out of nowhere with cryptic warnings? This was insane.
"You're coming with me," I decided. "I don't know what your game is, but I'm keeping you where I can see you. I don't need you pulling any more stunts behind my back."
"That's exactly what I was hoping for," Oro slid down from the platform toward me. "Just remember—some choices can't be undone."
