Back in her room, Scarle was restless, her mind was spinning with everything her brothers had just revealed. A curse? A mystical bond? She couldn't deny the strange connection she felt in their words.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at her door. Before she could respond, the door opened, and Daman slipped in. He seemed different tonight. A little quieter, more restrained, as though pushed down by something he couldn't share.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked softly, his voice carrying a gentleness she hadn't expected.
Scarle folded her arms with her defenses rising. "What do you want, Daman?"
He let out a quiet sigh, leaning against the door. "To talk. Or… to listen, if you want."
She looks him. The brothers were anything but predictable, but Daman's presence tonight feels different tonight. There was a rare softness in him she wasn't used to seeing. Slowly, her guard began to lower.
"Fine," she said finally, gesturing for him to sit. "Explain this whole curse thing again. Why me? And why now?"
Daman comes in, his gaze was thoughtful as he sat into the chair across from her. "The curse has been with our family for centuries. It binds us to power, but at a cost. We're drawn to certain people, people who carry a unique attraction with our family's energy. You're one of them, Scarle. We sensed it the moment we met you."
Scarle's stomach twisted, a mix of disbelief flooding in her. "But why would I feel… drawn to you? If I'm not part of this family?" Daman's eyes softened. "Because it goes deeper than blood. It's a connection grows through time, tied to the family's past. And whether you believe it or not, it binds us together now."
His words hung in the air, filling the room with a heavy silence. Scarle looked away, her was heart racing.
"Why didn't you just let me leave?" she whispers, desperation in her voice. "If this curse is real, then why trap me here?"
Daman's gaze hardens, his usual calmness replaced by a fierce protectiveness. "Because if you leave, it'll destroy you. The curse doesn't just bind us to you, it ties you to us, too. And if you try to break that bond, it would kill you."
Scarle felt her blood got cold, the weight of his words sinking in her heart. "So, you're saying I'm… stuck here? Forever?"
A hint of sorrow was in Daman's eyes. "Not forever. But as long as the bond remains unbroken, you are a part of our world. And we'll protect you, no matter what."
The next morning, Scarle wake up with Daman's words kept in her mind. The weight of her situation felt heavier than ever, and as she made her way downstairs, she found herself hoping for answers.
In the drawing room, she found Maddon and Kier deep in conversation. They glanced up as she entered. "We need to talk" Kier said, "About your future with us."
Scarle asked. "What is it?"
Maddon's gaze was intense. "We've been trying to protect you, Scarle, but it's time you understood the full extent of the danger." He gestured for her to sit, she complied it, her heart pounding as she waited for them to continue.
"Our family has enemies," Kier explains, his voice low. "Powerful ones who would do anything to destroy us. And now that you are a part of it, they're coming for you, too."
Scarle felt a little afraid. "Enemies? Who?"
"They're part of a rival family," Maddon replied, his expression was dark. "They've been after us for generations, trying to break the power of our family. And now that you're connected to us, you're a target, too."
Her mind get tense. She had come here hoping to escape, to find freedom. But now, it seemed that freedom was further out of reach than ever. And as much as she hate to admit it, a small part of her now feel safer with the brothers.
"So, what do we do?" she asked finally, her voice was above a whisper.
Kier's gaze softened. "You trust us. Let us protect you. Together, we can survive this."
Scarle looked away. She didn't want to trust them, didn't want to rely on anyone but herself. But as she glanced at their faces, each one filled with a fierce determination to keep her safe but she realized that, now she had no choice left.
After sometime passed by unable to shake the anxiety, she wanders around the mansion. There had to be a way out.
Scarle found herself back in the library. It was one of the few places she could think clearly. She took out a book from shelf, its pages worn and heavy with age. As she opened it, a shadow moved in the corner of her vision, and she looked up to see Daman was standing by the door, watching her.
"You're fast," he said, voice low. Scarle's mouth tightened. "I'm restless because I feel trapped here. And now I'm hearing I could be in danger because of… whatever all of this is." She said with frustration in her eyes. "I didn't ask to be dragged into this curse. And I still don't know if I even believe any of it or not."
Daman approach her. "You don't have to believe it. But the danger is real, Scarle. They're watching us, waiting for an opportunity. And if they think we have become weak…" His words stuck, his jaw clenched.
But then Kier stepped inside. "We have a problem," he said, his was a whisper. "Maddon saw someone near the grounds. They were too close."
Scarle's heart fastened. "What are you talking about? Who was it?"
Kier's eyes were dark and serious. "Our enemies aren't just watching from afar anymore. They've started to make moves and they know about you. They want you, Scarle."
A chill ran down in her chest and she looked between them. "Why would they want me? I don't have anything to do with your family's legacy." "You're with us now," Daman murmured. "They'll see you as a weakness, a way to destroy us to capture you."
Kier steps closer, his expression softer than usual. "We don't want you to feel like a prisoner, Scarle. But it's not safe for you to leave. Not now."
Scarle shook her head with confusion in her. "This can't be my life. I can't just stay here." Daman said. "You're not just 'somebody' to us. Whether you believe it or not. And we'll do whatever it takes to protect you."
Before she could respond, Maddon's voice comes out from the hallway, urgent. "They've breached the estate. We need to get her out of here now."
Panic goes through Scarle as the weight of their words hit her. This wasn't a game, or some tale. There were real, dangerous people closing in, and if what the brothers said was true, she was in danger.
"Come on," Daman said, taking her hand. His grip was tight and protective as he takes her through the corridors of the mansion. They moved quickly.
They reached a concealed staircase at the back of the mansion, and Kier commanded for her to go first. "This leads to a passage that opens out beyond the estate. It's a last way out, but right now, it's the safest route."
Scarle hesitated, glancing back at the three brothers. They looked intense, their gazes on her as they tell her to move. She swallows hard, her heart was pounding. But just as she reached the bottom, a noise comes through the passageway, the sound of footsteps, slow. Someone was already here.
Scarle froze, before Maddon stepped forward, his expression hard. "Go. I'll handle this."
"No," Kier interrupted, grabbing his brother's arm. "We're not splitting up. We will stay together."
They moved forward cautiously, Scarle flanked by Daman and Kier as Maddon leads the way, his every movement was tense and alert. As they reach a corner, they found themselves face-to-face with a figure standing in darkness, his features were hidden beneath a hoody.
The stranger's voice was low almost mocking. "Didn't expect to see me so soon, did you? Daman's jaw tightened. "You have no place here. Leave before it's too late."
The stranger smirked, his tone was cold. "Oh, but I'm only here for her." His gaze shifted to Scarle, and a dark smile crept across his face. "You've chosen an interesting pet, haven't you? A weakness so… delicate."
The brothers closed gaps around Scarle, their protective instincts flaring up. Maddon took a step forward, his eyes blazing with fire. "Don't even touch her. Ever." The stranger's stares, and he took a slow step forward, his hand slipping to his side
"You think you can protect her?" the stranger taunted at them. "This curse will swallow you whole. All of you." Kier moved in front of Scarle, his figure protective, shielding her from the stranger's view. "We'll see about that."
In one swift movement, Daman ran forward, his hand reaching for the stranger's arm, but the intruder twisted away, dodging him with ease. The fight erupted as the brothers fought to drive the stranger back.
Scarle pressed herself against the wall, her heart was racing as she watched the struggle. She wanted to look away, to flee, but she was frozen, captivated by the violence of the scene. The brothers moved with a coordination, with each strike and dodge as they fought to protect her.
Finally, with a powerful shove, Maddon forced the stranger back against the wall, pinning him in place. Stranger said, "This is far from over," he hissed, his eyes blazing with menace. "You're bound to them now, whether you want it or not. And soon, you'll come to realize the true cost of their protection."
With last mocking smile, he freed himself from Maddon's grip and disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind his threat. As the silence settled, Scarle's body trembled. She met the brothers' gazes with fear and confusion.
"What… what just happened?" she whispered. Kier's face dark as he looked at her. "You saw, what we're protecting you from. And it's only the beginning.
To be continued...