************
CHAPTER 5
From the look on Ryker's face, Kayden began to have thoughts. The little beacon light of hope in him shone brighter.
"Have you seen her? Anyone familiar at all?" Kayden pushed his luck a bit.
"Well, I'm not in the right position to–"
Interrupting him, the gate suddenly pulled open. Ryker took reflexed steps back to avoid being hit by the huge metal black gate.
Ryker didn't know if it was his place to tell the stranger that the lady he is searching for is the souvenir his master brought back to the villa.
But seeing the gates pull open automatically and considering the fact that Arsenio was watching from the monitor, he knew he could give out the information and let the stranger in.
"Come in. The person you are looking for is inside," he ushered Kayden in.
Kayden smiled and sighed in relief. He quickly followed after Ryker. On his way in, his eyes took in the magnificence of the architectural villa.
The interiors were no less in beauty than the outside. However, he noticed that the only colours used were dark. Only the gold painting frames and the furniture were different.
'Who paints their homes in only dark colours? If not for the lighting and the gold that stands out, I would have said that this house looks depressed. I wonder if that's how the owner is,' Kayden rambled in his thoughts.
Another thing he noticed was how quiet the place is. It was as if there was no form of life in the villa apart from himself and the man leading him in.
His thoughts soon ended when he heard the approaching footsteps from the stairs up ahead.
"Brother!" Scarlett called in surprise.
She did not put too many thoughts when Arsenio came to call her out of the room she was. She had no hope nor will to live
Moreover, she did not think if anyone was to search, they would find her this quickly. But the sight of her elder brother, her only family left, made her doubt it.
If everyone were to even forget her and claim her dead, there was only one person that would not. And it is him. Always being protective and never giving up on her.
Maybe she should not too.
"Scarlett!" He responded the same way only that his was of relief.
Kayden spread his arms wide open as his sister dashed into his embrace. He steadied his feet so as not to fall.
"I was scared the worst might have happened to you," he whispered.
"I'm sorry for disappearing on you like that. Forgive me," Scarlett apologised with her hands on his shirt tightening and another fresh batch of tears falling down her cheeks.
She could feel it. His fear and also his relief at having her back. She must have made him worry a lot.
"It's alright. As long as you promise not to do it again. You can't leave like mum and dad. I'm not permitting you to. Got it?" Kayden said in a slightly strict tone.
"I got it," Scarlett nodded.
"Good," he wiped her tears and hugged her again. "I'm so happy you are okay."
"It's all thanks to him," Scarlett said referring to Arsenio.
Kayden eyes matched her line of sight. It was at that moment he realised that there was someone else in the room.
Tall, muscular, indifferent and carrying a presence of intimidation and darkness. Kayden made a quick assessment of the new face amongst them.
"Thank you for saving her and letting her rest in your home. I will be in your debt for this," Kayden spoke in gratitude.
"There is no need for that," Arsenio was quick to turn down his payment in form of owing a debt.
Kayden was more shocked than relieved. In this modern and cruel century, he had never come across someone who helped him and not wanting something in return.
Especially if he offers to repay them for their help. But this cold-looking man outrightly turned down the offer.
'Are there still people as generous as he is?'
Shaking the thought out of his mind, Kayden nodded. "Alright then. Thank you once again. We will be leaving now. Sorry for the disturbance."
"Thank you, Arsenio," Scarlett also expressed her gratitude once more before leaving with her brother.
The duo stood rooted on their spot as they watched the siblings leave. Once they were out of hearing and sight, Ryker breathed out.
"That was... Fast?" He remarked in a rather confused way. "Why are you not saying anything?"
Ryker turned to Arsenio whose eyes were still set on the door.
"What do you expect me to say?" Arsenio fired back.
"I don't know. You are the one who is staring as if you are never going to see your lover again," Ryker shrugged.
Arsenio shot him a deadly glare before his eyes went back to the door.
"Sigh. At least tell me what is on your mind."
"That man," Arsenio began.
"What about him?" Ryker became interested.
"He came here," he simply said.
To say Ryker was confused would be an understatement. He had no idea what the man said.
"Of course, he would come here. This villa is the only proof of life in the forest. How would he not come here when he was probably searching everywhere for his family? So what if he came here?"
"That's not it. How did he find the routes to this place?"
"Arsenio, any wanderer can stumble upon this place.
"Except all routes coming here would lead elsewhere. No one is supposed to be able to find the villa," Arsenio stated.
It was then it dawned on Ryker what he was talking about. The villa was a hidden and well-protected place against trespassers of any kind.
And since a spell has been cast to ensure no one finds it, how come that man did?
"What do you suppose he is?" Ryker asked.
"Not just him, her as well."