**Chapter 10: Rowan's Warning**

The dim lighting of the detention room seemed to amplify the tension that had been building among the group. Elara, still reeling from her experience in the hidden passageway, couldn't shake the feeling that she had stumbled into something much larger than herself. As she glanced around the room, her eyes met Alec's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Cas, slouched in his chair, broke the silence. "Hey, Elara? Can I ask you something?" he said, his eyes fixed on her. Elara raised an eyebrow. "Shoot," she replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "What's going on with you and Alec?" Cas asked, his voice low. "You two seem...complicated." Elara snorted, looking away. "That's one way to put it." Juno leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Come on, Elara, spill the beans. What's the story with you and Alec?" Elara hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Juno's kind eyes made her want to trust her. "Alec and I...we just met, obviously," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But there's something about him...he's different. And I don't just mean because he's...attractive." Alec's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Elara. "Thanks for the vote of confidence," he said, his voice dry. As they talked, the door to the detention room creaked open, and Rowan Blackmoor walked in. His eyes scanned the room, his gaze lingering on each of them before settling on Elara. "Elara, can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, his voice low. Elara nodded, standing up. "What's up?" Rowan led her outside, the cool night air a welcome respite from the tension in the detention room. "Elara, I need to warn you," he said, his eyes serious. "You're playing with forces you don't understand. The Rift...it's not something to be taken lightly." Elara's eyes widened. "The Rift? You mean, like, the thing that's tearing reality open?" Rowan nodded. "Yes. That thing. And you're connected to it, Elara. I can see it." Elara felt a shiver run down her spine. "What do you mean?" Rowan's eyes locked onto hers. "I mean that you're Marked, Elara. You're...different. And if you're not careful, you'll get pulled into the Rift, and...things won't be good." Elara's mind reeled as she tried to process Rowan's words. Marked? What did that even mean? As she stood there, trying to wrap her head around Rowan's warning, Elara began to experience more intense visions and dreams. She saw glimpses of a world beyond Ravenshade, a world that seemed to be calling to her. "Rowan, I think I'm starting to see things," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Visions, dreams...I don't know what's happening." Rowan's eyes narrowed. "I think it's starting, Elara. The Rift is calling to you, and...we need to be careful." Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she realized that she was in over her head. But with Rowan's warning, she felt a sense of determination. She was going to uncover the truth about the Rift, and she was going to do it with her new friends by her side. As they walked back into the detention room, Elara felt a sense of resolve. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, as long as she had her friends to support her. But little did she know, the Rift was already pulling her in, and it wouldn't let her go without a fight.