In the soft amber glow of the afternoon sun, Isabella stepped into her room, only to find Viktor and Celeste engrossed in a conversation that seemed to come to an abrupt halt as soon as she entered. This wasn't the first time she had stumbled upon their secretive discussions, in the past, she used to feel a twinge of jealousy linger beneath the surface, but not anymore. The undeniable closeness between father and daughter occasionally left Isabella feeling like an outsider in her own family.
Trying to dispel the tension, Isabella quipped, "Hope you guys aren't planning to sell me." Celeste burst into laughter, her carefree giggle filling the room, but Viktor, having heard that joke one too many times, remained stoic. Cutting through the moment, he asked, "Where have you been, woman? You left immediately after breakfast. Where did you go?"
Isabella, with a casual smile, replied, "I went to my friend Judy's house. She gave me something for your pain, and said it would give you strength." Viktor's response carried a note of pessimism, dismissing Judy's offerings as mere concoctions. "Your healer wannabe friend, who can't be smart enough to know her place and be a healer's assistant. I'm not taking those."
A shared frown crossed the faces of both Isabella and Celeste. Defending her friend's credentials, Isabella retorted, "You know full well she's a qualified healer. Refusing to marry your friend Gerard doesn't make her any less of one." The room hung in a momentary tension until Viktor, perhaps influenced by Celeste's disappointed expression, reconsidered. "Fine, I'll try it. But if it doesn't work, you both won't hear the last of it."
Isabella, sensing the need to step away from the brewing conflict, excused herself, leaving father and daughter to their ongoing discussion. As she exited the room, a fleeting thought crossed her mind—she hadn't provided any food for Taran, her husband's captive, who was bound and chained in the backyard. A quick realization spurred her into action, and she hurried to the outdoor confines where Taran was confined, ready to engage him in conversation and inquire about the welfare of Ethan's care for him.
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The afternoon sun cast long shadows over Blackwood as Marcus led Darius through the familiar streets. Even though Darius knew every nook and cranny, he relished the chance to spend time with Marcus. As they strolled, Marcus's curiosity got the better of him.
"So, where are you from?" Marcus asked, glancing at Darius with genuine interest.
Darius, ever the enigmatic figure, replied with a mysterious smile, "A place flowing with milk and honey, with giant castles, libraries, theaters, and beautiful people."
Intrigued, Marcus wished he could pinpoint this utopian place. He shared his frustrations about the pretentious religious atmosphere in Blackwood, especially among his father and others. "I just want to enjoy life without worrying about moral implications," he confessed.
As they passed a church, Darius subtly avoided the cross sign, his hands tingling as if singed by an invisible force. Unnoticed by Marcus, his eyes fixed on a nearby house with a sign that read "Charlene's Quarters." A mischievous grin played on Marcus's lips, and he nudged Darius, suggesting they pay a visit.
Upon entering the brothel, Marcus was greeted by familiar faces. The bar section erupted in cheers, revealing Marcus's popularity. Darius, taken aback, watched as Marcus soaked in the attention. Seated at the bar, they ordered drinks from a scantily dressed barmaid named Livia, whose pasties barely covered her ample assets.
Livia, recognizing Marcus, asked, "The usual?"
Marcus nodded, "Yes, Livia. And where's Carol?"
"In the makeup room," Livia replied.
Intrigued by Marcus's dual identity, Darius asked, "Do you come here often?"
Marcus admitted, "This is where I work. I take care of the girls, ensuring no man harasses or gets violent with them."
Darius found himself drawn to Marcus's complexities, making him even more alluring. As Carol, the star of Charlene's Quarters, emerged from the makeup room, the room fell into awed silence. Her beauty was unparalleled — piercing green eyes, cascading red curls, and a presence that commanded attention. She headed straight to Marcus, kissing his cheek.
After exchanging pleasantries, Carol turned her lustful gaze to Darius, who she found irresistibly attractive. Intrigued, Marcus introduced his new friend. A playful banter ensued, and Marcus, usually composed, was taken aback when Darius expressed his desire for Carol.
"Carol is my girl," Marcus declared, a mild struggle ensuing between the two men. Eventually, Candy came up with a compromise that was at first rejected by Marcus, but ended up accepting when both Carol and Darius assured him it would be a wonderful experience, if the three of them engage in a passionate threesome.
As they withdrew to a more intimate setting, Marcus felt a moment of hesitation. Amidst his history of intimate encounters, the prospect of a threesome involving another man was uncharted territory. Darius, in stark contrast, carried a wealth of experience from his extensive life, having engaged in numerous encounters of this nature. He held the intent to provide Marcus with a memorable and passionate experience.
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Celeste and Viktor settled into a hushed conversation the moment Isabella left the room. The air seemed charged with the weight of unspoken truths as Celeste, with an earnest gaze, confronted her father.
"Why weren't you honest with Mom?" she asked, her eyes reflecting a blend of curiosity and concern.
Viktor sighed, his eyes carrying the weight of the secrets he bore. "Lord Eric ordered us to keep what we do a secret from everyone we know. We, the hunters, form a covert army fighting supernatural creatures. The only reason you know about it is that you are exceptionally smart and brave, discovering it on your own."
"But why keep it a secret from the people of Blackwood?" Celeste questioned, a furrow forming on her brow. "Don't you think they have a right to know what lurks in the shadows?"
Viktor considered his words carefully before responding, "The main reason Lord Eric chose secrecy is to avoid panic. Humans, when faced with the unknown, tend to react in ways that can be destructive. Keeping our work hidden helps prevent unnecessary chaos. Also, revealing the supernatural world could disrupt the smooth flow of business and social life. It's a delicate balance we must maintain."
As Celeste absorbed this revelation, the backyard witnessed a different exchange. Taran, ensconced in a trance, found his meditation interrupted by Isabella's unexpected presence. Startled, he rose to his feet, with his hands still chained, meeting her eyes with a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Isabella wasted no time. "I have a message from Gabriel," she began, her voice steady. Taran's expression shifted, registering a blend of interest and anticipation. "And I know the real reason why you and your friends were in Blackwood."
A pregnant pause lingered, and Isabella seized the moment to express a profound declaration. "I want to help."
Taran, initially guarded, met her words with a subtle softening of his features. The weight of his hidden purpose seemed to lift, if only slightly. "Help?" he echoed, seeking sincerity in her eyes.
Isabella nodded, a resolute gleam lighting up her gaze. "I understand what needs to be done to ensure my son's safety, and I'm genuinely committed to assist in a way I can. Gabriel and I have devised a plan to rescue both you and Ethan."
Taran welcomed this news with a sense of relief, though a pang of wishfulness lingered. He couldn't help but yearn for Isabella to have shared their plan earlier, before he and Ethan concocted their own, riskier plan.