The dining room was warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the icy winds outside. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting golden light on the elegant table where Phillip, Isabella, and Pearl sat. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter echoing through the grand hall. Pearl, glowing with genuine affection, leaned toward Isabella.

Pearl (grinning): "So, Isabella, when exactly did you realize my brother wasn’t just another brooding, mysterious guy?"

Isabella chuckled, glancing at Phillip, who gave a shy smirk.

Isabella: "Honestly, I wasn’t sure until the second time we met. The first time, I saw him in my friends birthday party. He beings really nice to me but smells mysterious."

Phillip shrugged, his voice soft.

Phillip: "You make it sound more unromantic."

Isabella (teasing): "unromantic?"

Phillip said "Yea.. but third time was perfect and what about Iceland's.."  he tease her and they laughing.

The three erupted in laughter, the warmth of their camaraderie filling the room. But the moment was interrupted when the heavy oak door creaked open, revealing a figure clad in black. Lucian strolled in, his gait confident, a mischievous smirk on his lips.

Lucian: "A party without me? Now, that's just rude."

Everyone froze for a moment, the shift in energy palpable. Pearl’s expression soured as her gaze fell on him.

Pearl (coldly): "Lucian. What do you want?"

Lucian placed a hand over his chest in mock offense, his grin widening.

Lucian: "Oh, come now, dear sister. Is that any way to greet family? And to think, you didn’t even tell me you were here."

Pearl stood abruptly, her voice laced with venom.

Pearl: "Because I didn’t want to see you."

Lucian chuckled, shaking his head.

Lucian: "Well, you’re here now, so let’s make the best of it, shall we?" He turned his piercing gaze toward the couple. "And Phillip. Isabella. Lovely to see you both. I brought someone I’d love for you to meet."

He gestured behind him, and a figure stepped into the room. It was Lysandra. But something was wrong. Her usually vibrant eyes were dulled, her movements stiff, unnatural.

Lucian (smirking): "Lysandra, darling, say hello to our lovely hosts."

Isabella’s breath hitched as she saw the compulsion in Lysandra’s eyes.

Isabella (shocked): "What did you do to her, Lucian?"

Lucian (shrugging): "Nothing she didn’t want to do. She’s mine now." He grinned, baring his fangs slightly. "And she’s been... very helpful."

Phillip moved quickly, positioning himself between Lucian and Isabella. His voice was calm but firm.

Phillip: "Let her go, Lucian. Now."

Lucian tilted his head, feigning innocence.

Lucian: "Why so serious, little brother? She’s happy to be here, aren’t you, Lysandra?"

Lysandra nodded robotically, her voice monotone.

Lysandra: "Yes. I’m happy."

Isabella’s fists clenched, her voice trembling with anger.

Isabella: "This isn’t right. She’s not herself. How could you do this?"

Lucian stepped closer, his voice dripping with mockery.

Lucian: "Oh, Isabella, you’re still so naive. Compulsion is just... persuasion with a little extra push."

Pearl stepped between them, her fiery demeanor igniting.

Pearl (snapping): "Enough! This is sick, even for you, Lucian."

Lucian smirked, leaning toward her with a dark gleam in his eyes.

Lucian (mocking): "Sick? Or effective? You’ll understand soon enough, dear sister."

Pearl stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Lucian’s smirk widened as he turned back to the group.

Isabella angrily shout "what do you want?"

Lucian (cryptically): "You’ll all understand soon enough."

Before anyone could respond, he grabbed Lysandra’s hand and led her away. Isabella and Phillip exchanged a tense look, the weight of what had just happened settling heavily on them.

Meanwhile at Elemental Lake, The moon hung low in the sky, its violet hue casting an otherworldly glow across the darkened forest. Sirela stood at the edge of the enchanted lake, her feet sinking slightly into the cool, damp earth. The air was still, heavy with an unnatural silence that pressed against her ears. Slowly, she stepped into the water, her body slipping beneath the surface with practiced ease.

The lake was her sanctuary. Here, the whispers that haunted her quieted, and the endless pull of the water soothed the ache deep within her chest. Her siren form shimmered faintly under the moonlight, scales catching the light in iridescent flashes of teal and silver. Her long, wet hair fanned out around her as she floated effortlessly, her tail gliding smoothly through the water.

And then she saw it.

It wasn’t unusual for her to catch her reflection in the lake’s still surface, but tonight it felt... different. Her heart skipped as her eyes locked onto her image. At first, it was her—a girl with wide, sea-green eyes and soft features. But then, the image flickered, like a flame disturbed by the wind.

Her reflection shifted.

The face staring back at her wasn’t her own. The eyes were sharper, glowing faintly with an ethereal light. The features were regal, almost unnaturally perfect, framed by a crown of pearls and coral. Sirela gasped and scrambled backward, water splashing violently as she broke the surface. But the image didn’t fade. The queen in the lake stared back at her, lips curling into a knowing smile.

“Sirela…” The voice wasn’t her own, but it came from her mouth—soft, lilting, yet filled with authority.

She stumbled out of the water, her tail shifting back into legs as she hit the shore. Her chest heaved with panic, and she clutched at her arms, the cold air biting her skin. The whispers were back, louder this time, swirling and echoing like a storm in her mind.

“Sirela… come to me…”

Shaking, she ran through the forest, her breath catching in her throat. The trees seemed to close in around her, their shadows stretching unnaturally under the violet moon. When she finally reached the cottage, her grandmother was waiting, sitting in her usual spot by the fire.

Her grandmother looked up, her weathered face calm but her eyes sharp, as if she had been expecting Sirela’s arrival.

“You’ve seen her, haven’t you?” the old woman asked, her voice quiet but heavy with meaning.

Sirela froze, her damp hair clinging to her face. “Seen who?”

The old woman sighed, setting down her knitting. “The queen.”

“How—how do you know?” Sirela’s voice cracked, her hands trembling as she clutched the back of a chair.

Her grandmother didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she stared into the flames, her expression unreadable. “You are her blood, child. Her legacy. It’s only a matter of time before you understand what that means.”

“Her blood?” Sirela’s voice rose, panic overtaking her. “What does that even mean? What’s happening to me?”

The old woman stood slowly, her shadow stretching tall across the room. “You have questions, Sirela. But I can only give you so many answers. Some truths must be discovered on your own.”

The fire flickered violently, casting eerie shapes across the walls. The whispers in Sirela’s mind grew louder, overlapping, drowning out the sound of her own heartbeat. She backed away, her hands covering her ears.

“Stop it!” she screamed.

Her grandmother placed a hand on her shoulder, firm but comforting. “You are stronger than you know, child. And soon, you’ll have to prove it.”

The words hung in the air as the fire died down, leaving the room in near darkness. Sirela didn’t sleep that night, the queen’s face burned into her memory, her whispers still echoing in her mind.