Chapter 264: Chapter 264

When I opened my eyes, everything felt blurry. My head hurt, and my body felt heavy, like I had been asleep for a hundred years. The air around me smelled strange, like smoke and old wood. I blinked a few times and sat up slowly, groaning.

"Where... where am I?" I whispered, rubbing my head.

The place was small, just one room, with a roof that looked like it would fall apart if the wind blew too hard. The walls were made of mud and sticks, and there was a mat under me, rough against my skin. My heart started to pound. The last thing I remembered was darkness.

"Hello?" I called softly, looking around.

No answer. The hut was empty.

I pushed myself up, my knees weak, and that was when I smelled it, smoke. It was faint at first, then stronger. I coughed, waving my hand in front of my face. It was coming from somewhere behind the hut. My throat burned, and my stomach made a small growl. I hadn’t eaten in, how long? I didn’t even know.

I stepped out slowly, the ground cold under my bare feet. I followed the trail of smoke and stopped when I saw her.

An old woman sat near a fire, stirring something inside a black pot. Her back was bent, her grey hair tied into a messy bun. The same woman I saw the previous night. She wore a long, faded gown that brushed the ground. The smell of the food was strange but not unpleasant. Something like herbs and grains mixed with smoke.

Before I could say anything, she turned her head slightly and smiled at me. Her eyes were sharp, bright, and full of something I couldn’t explain, wisdom, maybe... or danger.

"Ah," she said, her voice rough but warm. "You’re awake."

I froze, taking a step back. "Where did you bring me? Where am I?"

She chuckled softly, as if my questions were silly. "You are safe, child. Go back inside. Breakfast will be ready soon."

"Safe?" I repeated, my voice trembling. "How did I get here?"

She didn’t answer that. She only waved her hand, her bony fingers glinting with strange rings. "Go back in, little one. You look frightened. I won’t hurt you."

Her tone was kind, but something about her made my skin crawl. I had heard stories about old women like her, those who lived deep in the forest, mixing potions, talking to spirits. Some said they could see the past and future. Some said they could steal your voice.

I didn’t want to test which kind she was.

So I did as she said. I turned and went back inside, my heart racing.

The hut looked even smaller now that I was standing. I started walking around, touching things carefully. There were odd objects everywhere, dried herbs hanging from the ceiling, small wooden bowls filled with colored powders, and strange carved stones that glowed faintly.

I picked one up, and it hummed in my hand, making my fingers tingle. I dropped it immediately.

"What is this place?" I muttered, looking around. "What is she?"

Just then, I heard footsteps. The old woman came in, holding a wooden tray with a steaming bowl of food and a cup of something that looked like water but smelled like herbs.

She smiled again and set it down in front of me. "Eat," she said simply. "It will make you strong."

I stared at the bowl. The food looked plain, just porridge with some green leaves on top. My stomach turned.

"I don’t want food," I said sharply, crossing my arms. "I want to know who my parents are."

The woman sighed again, her wrinkled face softening just a little, though her eyes still held a sharp glint.

"Eat first," she repeated slowly, her tone calm but firm, like she was used to being obeyed. "Then we talk."

"No!" I shouted, my voice breaking as I stepped back. "I don’t care about food! Tell me who my parents are! Did you take me here just to feed me? What do you want from me?"

My hands trembled, and I could feel my heart beating so loud it hurt. I was scared, confused, and angry all at once.

Her eyes flickered. For a second, the gentle look she had vanished. She reached out, picked up her wooden spoon, and without warning, tapped me lightly on the head.

"Hey!" I yelped, holding the spot. "What was that for?"

She frowned, her brows knitting together. "You have no manners, child," she said in a tone that was almost scolding. "When an elder gives you food, you show gratitude. You eat. You do not shout like a wild creature."

I clenched my fists, tears stinging my eyes. "I don’t care about manners right now!" I snapped. "I want answers! I want to know where my parents are!"

She looked at me for a long time, her spoon still in her hand, her gaze heavy and unreadable. The silence stretched until I could hear the fire crackling outside. Then she spoke, her voice low but steady.

"That," she said slowly, "is why you cannot even control your power."

Her words hit me like cold water. I froze, staring at her.

"What... what do you mean?" I asked quietly.

She lifted the spoon again and pointed it straight at me. "You look weak. Thin. Shaking like a leaf," she said, her tone sharp but not unkind. "You think power grows in hunger? You think strength comes from shouting and fear? No. Power comes from calm. From balance. And you have none. Eat, Lisa, and I will tell you everything concerning you."

I froze. "You... you know my name."

She chuckled softly. "Of course, I do. I have been watching you since you were born."

A chill ran through me. "You’re lying."

"Am I?" she asked, tilting her head. "Then how do I know that when you were six, you fell into the river behind your father’s house and almost drowned, but your father pulled you out, crying your name like his life depended on it?"

I stared at her, my lips parting. "How...how do you know that?"

She smiled faintly, stirring the porridge again. "Eat, little one. Then we talk."

My legs felt weak, and I sat down slowly. I didn’t trust her, but she knew too much. My stomach growled again, and I picked up the spoon hesitantly. The porridge smelled strange, but when I tasted it, it was warm and soft. It melted in my mouth like something I’d never eaten before. I didn’t even realize how hungry I was until I found myself eating every last spoonful. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel⦿fire.net

She watched me the whole time, her eyes calm.

When I finished, I pushed the bowl away. "Now talk," I said quietly. "You promised."

She nodded, placing the bowl aside and sitting across from me.