Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 1

AURELIA

I woke up gasping, my heart hammering against my ribs.

It was the same dream again. Mom stood in a field of soft golden light, her silver-gold hair floating around her like she was underwater. She reached for me, smiling that gentle smile I somehow remembered even though she died when I was six. She whispered something I could never quite catch. Every time I tried to run closer, she started fading, and the light turned cold. I always woke up right before she disappeared completely.

I’d been having this dream for weeks now, but I never told Dad. He already carried enough sadness about her. I didn’t want to add to it.

I rubbed my face and checked the clock. Today was the last senior final exam. One more paper and high school would be done. I should’ve felt excited, but mostly I felt heavy. I dragged myself out of bed and went downstairs.

“Morning, Dad,” I said, trying to sound normal.

He was at the stove flipping eggs. “Morning, sweetheart. Big day today. You nervous?”

“A little,” I admitted, sitting at the table. “But I studied hard. I just want it over with.”

“You’re going to do great, Aurelia. I know you will.” He slid a plate in front of me and ruffled my hair the way he used to when I was small. “Proud of you, kiddo.”

I ate quietly, thinking about the dream again. Mom had looked so real this time. Almost like she was trying to warn me about something. I shook the thought away and finished breakfast.

School was loud and chaotic. Everyone was buzzing because it was the final exam. I sat in the hall, took a deep breath, and started writing. The questions flowed better than I expected. When I handed in my paper, this strange mix of relief and emptiness settled over me. High school was officially over.

I should have gone straight home, but I wanted to see Jake. He always knew how to make me smile. We’d been together seven months. He was the only one who never made fun of me when I talked about my weird dreams or old mythology books.

I walked behind the gym where we usually met. And then I froze.

Jake had Sarah pinned against the wall. Her skirt was bunched up around her waist. His hand was between her legs. They were kissing like they were starving for each other, moaning softly.

“Jake?” My voice came out small.

He jerked away fast. Sarah smirked and slowly pulled her skirt down.

“Aurelia… shit,” Jake muttered, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not—”

“Don’t,” I said, my voice shaking. “Don’t you dare say it’s not what it looks like.”

He sighed like I was being difficult. “Look, this was just a bet, okay? The guys dared me at the start of the year. You’re… you’re kind of weird, Aurelia. Always talking about strange dreams and old gods and stuff nobody cares about. Who’s actually going to date someone like you for real?”

His words cut deeper than I expected. Tears burned my eyes.

Sarah laughed and stepped closer. She slapped my left cheek lightly. “Who. Do. You. Think. You. Are?” Another light slap on the right. “Thinking you could actually keep the quarterback? You’re just a weird little nobody.”

I stood there, cheeks stinging, heart shattering. The pain in my chest felt worse than anything.

I turned and ran.

Rain started pouring the second I left the school gates. I didn’t stop. I walked the whole way home, soaked to the skin, tears mixing with the rain on my face. By the time I pushed open our front door, I was shaking.

“Dad?” I called weakly. He wasn’t home yet.

I dropped my bag on the floor and slid down the wall, sobbing into my knees. Everything hurt. Jake’s words kept echoing. You’re too weird… just a bet… nobody’s going to date you.

That’s when I noticed it.

A very shiny black envelope sat on the kitchen counter. It hadn’t been there this morning. The silver seal glowed faintly, almost pulsing.

“What the fuck is this?” I whispered through my tears.

I wiped my face and picked it up. The paper felt warm, expensive. My full name was written in elegant gold ink: Aurelia Elowen Voss.

I broke the seal.

Bright light burst out of the envelope, so strong I had to shield my eyes. A glowing hologram appeared right in front of me. It was Mom — exactly like in my dreams, with her silver-gold hair and soft smile.

“Hello, my darling girl,” she said gently, her voice warm and real. “If you’re seeing this, it means

the time has finally come. You are so much more than you know.”