The sterile glare of the operating room lights flickered above Emma, casting harsh shadows on the sweat-drenched sheets beneath her. Her breaths came in shallow gasps, each one a battle against the searing pain that gripped her body.
The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor filled the air, a relentless reminder of the fragile line between life and death.
James and Ava hovered near the door, their faces pale with worry. James clenched his fists, his knuckles white, while Ava bit her lip, her eyes darting between Emma and the monitors. "Is she going to be okay?" James whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the machines. Ava placed a reassuring hand on his arm. "She's strong, James. She'll make it."
James stepped forward, his hands trembling as he took the tiny bundle from Noah. He stared down at the infant, his heart swelling with a mix of relief and wonder. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to the baby's forehead. "Welcome to the world, little one."
To everyone's surprise, the infant grasped Owen's finger tightly. Ava's eyes widened in shock, while James simply gave Owen a quiet, knowing look. The tension that had always simmered between them seemed to dissolve in that moment, replaced by an unspoken understanding.
James wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his own voice steady and warm. "How about Lucas?" Emma smiled, leaning into his embrace. "Lucas," she repeated, the name rolling off her tongue like a promise. In that moment, the future stretched out before them, filled with endless possibilities.
"Lucas, slow down!" Emma called out, her voice tinged with both pride and worry.
A sharp gasp escaped Emma’s lips as she saw the blade slice his palm. But before she could rush to him, the wound began to heal—right before her eyes. The skin stitched itself together, leaving no trace of the cut.
James’s eyes widened. "He’s… immune to silver?"
"They already have," a deep voice interrupted. The Lee family elder, James, stepped into the room, his cane tapping rhythmically against the floor. His piercing gaze locked onto Lucas. "The boy is the new prophecy core. He’s the one we’ve been waiting for."
"It means," James said gravely, "that he’s the key to our survival—and our greatest vulnerability. The Thomas family will stop at nothing to get their hands on him."
Emma scooped Lucas into her arms, her resolve hardening. "Over my dead body."
The flickering neon light outside illuminated the chaos as figures began to emerge from the shadows, their eyes glowing with predatory intent. Emma clutched Lucas tighter, her mind racing with one thought: We’ll fight. For him.
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