Part Three

Caelum had tried again and again to establish a connection with Millie, but every attempt failed. She was out there somewhere, slipping further from his reach, and time was running out. The letter she'd left behind offered little comfort; he'd found it too late—after his confrontation with Shane. Now Shane knew she was gone as well.

He had to find her before Shane did. No matter the cost, he had to protect her.

Caelum sat cross-legged, meditating, focusing on the faint traces of Millie's essence from the things she'd left behind. A crystal in his hand pulsed softly as he attempted to locate her, but each time he reached out, he was met with resistance—a protective barrier, blocking his efforts. Millie had always had a knack for getting into trouble. It was part of why Caelum had accepted his fate—to look after her, to protect her. Perhaps, in doing so, he could repay the debt he owed before his end.

A sudden rustle of magic caught his attention. A message materialized in front of him, floating in the air before he snatched it. Unfolding the paper, his eyes scanned the words:

Bring her to the border of Herargisen. If she is truly one of us, the pathway will be revealed to her, and only to her.

Herargisen. Of course, they wouldn't allow him past the border. The people there were known for their secrecy. But the question lingered—would Millie agree to go? Caelum knew he'd have to reveal truths he'd long kept hidden to make her see reason. The thought twisted his gut with uncertainty. The truth he had for her could break her. He wasn't sure she was ready for that.

<<Flashback: Six years ago>>

"Do this one thing, and you'll have Silvia back. That's all you care about, isn't it?" Esme's voice was laced with temptation. The deal required Caelum to throw away the last fragments of his conscience, to defy the core of Fae law itself. And yet, he didn't care. Silvia—Esme promised to bring her back. She was the only one who could, as a direct descendant of Lugard Roller the First.

"I could sweeten the deal with land, money, whatever you want," Alex chimed in, his voice cutting through the thick silence. Caelum rolled his eyes at the greedy bastard. Did Alex think everyone was driven by avarice like him?

You're considering the deal, aren't you?
Caelum mocked himself for the hypocrisy. He was no better than Alex or even Esme.

"Fine," Caelum finally conceded, "but the girl lives." He wasn't willing to compromise on that. He couldn't have her innocent blood on his hands.

It was the first time Caelum had set foot in the human world, it was bittersweet. Silvia had always dreamed of taking him here, but she'd died before she got the chance.

Caelum wandered through a park, marveling at its beauty. The tall trees swayed in the breeze, their leaves creating a soft, harmonious rustle. The grass was a vibrant green, and though the air was tinged with human pollution, there was still life here—still magic.

As he walked, a small figure bumped into him. A girl with brown eyes and black hair. There was a fire in her gaze, a quiet defiance.

"Sorry, sir," she said, brushing hair out of her face and tucking it behind her ear. She smiled up at him, and Caelum immediately sensed the power radiating from her. How could a child so young possess such immense magical energy?

"You're a fae, aren't you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "I can sense your magical essence. It's weak. You are sad. You've lost someone important, haven't you?"

"Remarkable," Caelum murmured, impressed by her ability to sense magic and emotions so acutely.

He crouched to her level. "It's okay. I plan to get her back soon," he said with a gentle smile.

The girl returned his smile, eyes bright. "Then you won't be sad anymore?"

"I won't," he promised. He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The moment his fingers touched her, a vision filled his mind—of a woman he'd never met but who shared the same compelling eyes as the girl before him.

"Come on, Millie! Let's go! Your mum will be home soon!" a man called from a distance, running toward them.

Caelum snapped out of the vision, his gaze shifting to the man who approached. He studied him closely as the man grabbed the girl's hand.

"Sorry! I hope she wasn't bothering you," the man apologized, reaching out for a handshake. But when he looked at Caelum, his face drained of color. He pulled back his hand as though burned.

"Dad, I wasn't doing anything," the girl—Millie—whined, but her father hurriedly grabbed her hand and practically dragged her away.

Once they were gone, Caelum stood frozen in realization. That man—he recognized him. It was Tristan Valkera. So this was where he'd been hiding. But why had he panicked upon seeing Caelum?

And more importantly, where had he heard Millie's name before? Right. She was the child Esme and Alex were after. After sensing her energy, it was no wonder they needed his help.

<<End of flashback>>

Caelum's senses flared. He could feel the familiar pulse of Millie's magic.

"Millie," he called out, desperation lacing his voice.

"Caelum," her voice answered, faint but unmistakable. His heart thudded wildly in his chest at the sound. He hadn't realized how much he missed hearing her speak, calling his name.

"Thank goodness. Where are you?" he rushed out, the words tumbling from him faster than he could control. Worry gnawed at him, overtaking his composure. *Please, let her be safe.*

"Millie? Millie?" The connection abruptly snapped, leaving nothing but silence.

"No!" His voice tore through the room as his frustration boiled over, fists clenching tightly. The fragile link he'd established was gone—again. He slammed his hands down on the table, eyes wide with helplessness.

At least he'd heard her. She was alive. But her location still evaded him, slipping just out of his reach like grains of sand. He resolved to double his efforts, no matter the cost.

Days passed, and nothing.

The shop had become his prison, a beacon of hope that Millie might walk through the door. But every time he thought he felt her presence, it was a false alarm. The place reeked of stale air and waiting.

"Sorry, we're closed," Caelum muttered absently, barely looking up as the door creaked open. The figure who stepped inside wasn't Millie. His heart sank.

The woman standing there looked disheveled, her hair sticking out in frenzied strands. Panic glinted in her wide eyes as they darted around the room.

"Are you Caelum?" Her voice trembled, almost as if she were afraid to ask.

Caelum stiffened. His hand instinctively reached under the table, fingers curling around the hilt of his sword. Few knew his real name.

"Who are you?" His voice was calm, but his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"Millie sent me. You have to help her," she blurted out, her breath ragged. "She's in trouble."

Caelum froze, the words cutting through the air like a dagger. Millie—in trouble? His blood ran cold.

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Hey guys, how did we enjoy Caelum's new chronicle. New chapter in Millie's POV will be posted later today. Thank you for reading and don't forget to vote and comment. Love y'all.........