Prologue
The storm raged outside, the wind howling like a warning as the rain fell in torrents, soaking the earth. Deep within the woods, where even the trees seemed to cower in the storm's grip, Eyota prowled silently, her senses alert, every fiber of her being attuned to the danger around her. She had been tracking a Cold One—the vampire predators that had long plagued the lands she guarded. But tonight, something felt different. There was a pull, an inexplicable force that tugged at her heart, guiding her deeper into the forest, beyond the reach of the known dangers.
As the rain blurred her vision, Eyota stepped into a small clearing. And there, amidst the chaos of nature's fury, she found her.
A baby, abandoned. Its tiny cries were weak, yet they carried a sense of urgency that pierced through the storm. The infant, barely clothed, shivered in the cold, alone in the wild. Eyota's heart clenched with an emotion she hadn't felt in centuries—compassion, protectiveness. The child was far too small to survive out here on her own. And yet, there was something in the way the baby's energy pulsed—a strange, powerful aura—that resonated deeply within Eyota. This was no ordinary child.
Kneeling beside her, Eyota felt an overwhelming sense of purpose wash over her. She knew the child's name, even before it had crossed her lips: Isabella. It was whispered in her mind, not by her own thoughts, but by something far greater—something beyond comprehension. In that moment, Eyota knew her destiny had just shifted. This child, this lost girl, would be hers to protect, no matter the cost.
The rain soaked through Eyota's clothes as she cradled Isabella, feeling warmth emanating from the baby despite the storm's cold grip. There was power in this child, something extraordinary, and Eyota could feel it. Something that was both a gift and a curse. She had no idea where Isabella had come from or who had left her in such a perilous place, but Eyota knew one thing for certain: she would raise her as her own. Bella would be safe from the world's dangers—and from herself.
Years passed in isolation, as Eyota kept Bella hidden from the world. They moved constantly, never staying in one place for too long, a life built on secrecy and survival. As Bella grew, so did her gifts—gifts that Eyota couldn't fully explain. Bella was no ordinary girl. But despite Eyota's best efforts to protect her, there were always questions.