Elias Steele looked older—gray threading his auburn hair, new lines carved around his eyes—but it was him. Same crooked smile. Same calloused hands. He stood slowly, as if afraid she might shatter.
And for the first time since she was ten years old, Valerica Steele believed.
“You left .”
A long silence. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out a small glass vial, half-filled with what looked like liquid moonlight. “I found what I was looking for, Val. The door between worlds? It’s real. But it doesn’t open both ways unless someone holds it from the other side.”
Her father’s handwriting.
“Holding.” He smiled, but it was tired. “Every night for fifteen years. I couldn’t come back until I found someone to take my place. And I wouldn’t do that to a stranger.”
Elias Steele looked older—gray threading his auburn hair, new lines carved around his eyes—but it was him. Same crooked smile. Same calloused hands. He stood slowly, as if afraid she might shatter.
And for the first time since she was ten years old, Valerica Steele believed. valerica steele dad
“You left .”
A long silence. Then he reached into his coat and pulled out a small glass vial, half-filled with what looked like liquid moonlight. “I found what I was looking for, Val. The door between worlds? It’s real. But it doesn’t open both ways unless someone holds it from the other side.” Elias Steele looked older—gray threading his auburn hair,
Her father’s handwriting.
“Holding.” He smiled, but it was tired. “Every night for fifteen years. I couldn’t come back until I found someone to take my place. And I wouldn’t do that to a stranger.” He stood slowly, as if afraid she might shatter