Once in a lifetime

---

Elena’s fingers curled into fists.

"You’re here, and that’s all that matters."

Damien’s words should have been comforting.

But they weren’t.

Because deep down, she knew—nothing came without a cost.

The air around them shifted, as if the very fabric of time was holding its breath.

Liam’s voice was sharp. “You’re not telling her everything.”

Damien’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

That was answer enough.

Elena’s pulse pounded. “Damien… what did you do?”

His gaze darkened. “I made a deal.”

Her stomach dropped.

She took a step forward, her breath shaky. “With who?”

Damien exhaled, his expression unreadable. “The Keepers of Time.”

The room tilted.

Liam let out a sharp breath. “You’re insane.”

Elena barely heard him. Her heart thundered in her chest. “The Keepers of Time?”

She had read the stories. Ancient beings. Enforcers of fate. The guardians of life and death.

No one bargained with them.

No one defied them.

Yet Damien had.

And now, she was here.

Her skin prickled. “What did they ask for in return?”

Damien hesitated.

And that terrified her more than anything.

Elena’s voice was barely above a whisper. “Tell me.”

A long silence stretched between them.

Then, finally—

"Your life."

The words slammed into her like a hurricane.

Her breath caught. “What?”

Damien’s gaze held hers, heavy with something haunted.

"They gave you back to me," he said softly. "But only for a time."

Elena’s stomach twisted. “What does that mean?”

Liam swore under his breath. “It means they’re going to take you back.”

A cold weight settled in her chest.

No.

No, that couldn’t be true.

She had just found her past. Her truth. Him.

And now she was going to lose it all over again?

Her voice shook. "Damien, tell me there’s a way to stop this."

His silence was deafening.

Elena’s vision blurred. This couldn’t be happening.

But she knew better.

Time always took what it was owed.

And soon, it was coming for her.

---

"If you knew your time was running out, would you fight fate… or spend every moment like it was your last?"

---