The afternoon sun dip lower, casting the mansion in a soft glow. As Scarle sat by her window, watching the sunlight fade, she couldn't shake the feeling of isolation pressing down on her. The conversation with Kier and Daman was still in her mind.
Scarle's gaze goes down to the garden below. From her window, she could see the high walls that surrounded the property, their jagged walls were constant reminder of her confinement. But a part of her was beginning to believe that the walls might not be as dark as they seemed. If there was even a slim chance to escape, she would take it.
Lost in thought, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her door until it was too late. A knock broke the silence in the quiet room. She turned, expecting to see one of the brothers, but to her surprise, a young maid stood in the doorway, her eyes were lowered respectfully.
"Miss Scarle," the maid murmured, her voice barely a whisper. "Dinner is ready." Scarle nodded, head downstairs. She would play along for now, but she wouldn't forget her ultimate goal.
The dining room was filled with the smell of rich spices, and the table was set with an array of dishes. As Scarle enters, she saw Maddon already seated, his posture was relaxed but his eyes sharp, as if he was watching her every move. Kier and Daman were yet to arrive, giving her a short moment alone with Maddon.
He looks up, his gaze was mix with curiosity. "You seem… different today," he remarked, his voice soft but pointed. "Planning something, perhaps?"
Scarle stiffen, forcing herself to stay calm. "I don't know what you're talking about." Maddon's lips giving a light smile. "Oh, I think you do. You're not as calm as you believe, Scarle."
She looks at him with anger. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stop playing your tactics with me."
To her surprise, Maddon laughed, a rich and deep sound. "Feisty, aren't we? I like that. But you should know by now that I enjoy it, especially when they involve you."
Before she could respond, Kier and Daman enters the room, their presence shifting the atmosphere.
"Good evening, Scarle," Kier greeted, his tone was polite. "I trust you're adjusting to your new life here?"
She met his gaze, refusing to show any sign of her weakness. "If by 'adjusting,' you mean plotting my escape, then yes, I'm adjusting just fine." Daman said with chuckle. "You really don't give up, do you? Most people would have surrendered by now."
"Maybe I'm not like most of your people," she replied. Kier smiling. "Indeed, you're not."
The meal was served, and for a while, they ate in silence, the only sounds the clinking of dishes and the burning of the fireplace. Scarle focused on her plate, refusing to look at the brothers, though she could feel their eyes observing her every move.
Finally, Daman broke the silence, his tone was casual but he spoke with curiosity. "So, Scarle, tell us more about your life before… this."
Scarle hesitates, caught off guard by the question. She didn't want to reveal anything to them. But she knew that refusing to answer would only make them more curious.
"My life was normal," she replied carefully. "School, friends, family. Nothing special."
Maddon give smirk, as if sensing her discomfort. "Normal? That's not the impression I get. There's something… different about you, something that sets you apart."
Scarle said with frustration. "You don't know anything about me." "Oh, but we do," Kier interfere. "We know more than you realize, Scarle."
She forced herself to stay calm. "If you know so much, then why keep me here? What's the point?" Daman leaned forward. "Because you're one of us, whether you like it or not. And sooner or later, you'll come to understand that." Scarle glared at him. "I will never be like you."
The brothers exchanged a glance. Finally, Kier spoke. "We'll see about that. After dinner, Scarle goes to her room, locking the door behind her. She felt tired and exhausted.
As she lay on her bed, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She would escape this house and reclaim her freedom, and leave the Ashford family behind.
And when she did, she would make sure they never had the chance to hurt her, or anyone else again.
Scarle couldn't sleep. The moonlight poured through her window, casting a soft glow across her room. Her mind was racing, filled with fragments of memories and half-buried questions
But then her thoughts were interrupted by opening of her door. She sat up quickly, her heart was pounding as Maddon entered, his figure tall in the doorway. He moved with a quiet confidence, his eyes on her, a faint, predatory glow in them.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. He took a slow step forward. "Couldn't sleep either. Thought I'd come and… check on you."
Scarle, fighting the urge to tell him to leave. His presence made her uneasy, but there was a part of her that was equally drawn to him, as much as she hated to admit it. "What do you want, Maddon?"
He let out a low chuckle, stopping just inches from her. "Only what you're willing to give, Scarle." His voice was soft almost taunting. "You may have noticed by now, but we don't bring outsiders in lightly. Especially not women."
The weight of his words hung between them, and she looked away, feeling both fear and darker, something that made her heartbeat fast.
"Why me, then?" she challenged. "If you don't want outsiders, why keep me here?"
His hand reached up, brushing a stray hair from her face. "You're different. More special than you realize." He leaned in closer, his breath was warm against her ear. "The connection you feel to us… that's no accident."
Scarle swallowed hard, pulling back. "What kind of connection?"
But before he could answer, the sound of footsteps echoes in the room, and Kier's voice broke the tension.
"Maddon," Kier said firmly, his tone was sharp as he entered the room. "Leave her be. We have bigger things to discuss."
Maddon's expression changed, but he stepped back, he looking to Scarle for a moment before he left the room.
"Why did you stop him?" Scarle asked, not able to keep the curiosity from her voice.
Kier's face softened, his dark eyes serious. "Because I don't think you understand, what's at stake. You're not a toy, Scarle. You're part of us. And it's time you knew the truth."
Kier take her to the room and Daman and Maddon was already there. Kier offer her to sit, and she sat, glancing between the three of them.
"You're wondering why we're keeping you here, why are we so… possessive," Kier began, his tone was measured. "And it's time you understood that it's not just about you. It's about our family legacy and the curse that comes with it."
"A curse?" she echoes, in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Daman leaned forward, "Our family's power comes at a price. A long time ago, our ancestors made a pact that bound, every Ashford to protect something… ancient and powerful. And that power… has been passed down and inherited by each generation. But it's a curse as much as a gift."
Scarle stared at them, struggling to understand what they were saying. "What does that have to do with me?"
Kier sighed, exchanging a look with his brothers. "We aren't fully sure yet. But there are signs, we've seen them. You share a strange bond with our family. It's as if you're… connected to our power in a way even we don't understand."
Maddon's lips twisted into a smile. "Which is why you're more than just a guest, Scarle. You're one of us now." She shook her head, with disbelief. "This is insane. You think I'm just going to believe all this? That I'm part of some… cursed family?"
"You don't have to believe it," Daman said quietly. "But you've felt it, haven't you? The strange connection, and the way you feel around us."
She swallowed looking down. But even if what they said was true, it didn't change the fact that she was a prisoner here, caught in their dark web. "What do you want from me?" she whispers.
Kier steps closer, his eyes dark and intense. "To stay. To trust us. This curse binds us together, and if you try to leave, the consequences could be… deadly."
The room fell with silent, the weight of his words was heavy.But a part of her was starting to believe, to feel that strange feeling they spoke of, as if an invisible thread was binding her to her brothers, pulling her into their world.
"I need time to think," she murmured, rising from her seat.
Kier nodded. "Take all the time you need. But remember, Scarle… we're bound together now. No matter what you choose, you are a part of this family. And we'll protect you. No matter what the cost is."
To be continued...