The house was still, yet Scarle was awake, her mind was racing with all she has experiences till now. She turned over, burying her face in the pillow, hoping sleep would eventually come. But the quiet didn't last long.
A light knock at her door brought her to her feet, her pulse quickened as she slipped out of bed, her bare feet silent against the cool and wooden floor. She opened the door to find Daman standing there, his face was cast in shadows by the dim light.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper. She nodded, biting her lips as she glanced down. "Everything feels… fearful."
Daman's expression softened. "Come on," he murmured, gesturing her to follow. Curiosity piqued, she wrapped a robe around herself and followed him down in the quiet and dark. He led her through twisting corridors until they reached a door she hadn't seen before, half-hidden behind a dust. Daman pushed it open, revealing a small and quiet room filled with books and antique furniture.
"Is this a library?" she asked, taking in the sight of bookshelves and chairs. "It's more of a study," he replied, closing the door behind them. "This was our father's room. He spent hours here researching about the curse. I thought it might help you understand…"
Scarle moved toward the shelves. Many books were filled with symbols and texts she didn't recognize, in strange languages and markings that hinted at something. Daman watched her, his gaze was soft. "This isn't just a curse, Scarle. It's a legacy, of a cycle of protection and sacrifice."
She looked up at him, her heart was heavy with questions. "And… what happens if it can't be broken?" Daman hesitated. "Then we're all trapped in it, for better or worse. But with you, there might be a chance to finally end it."
Their eyes met, a quiet understanding passing between them. She could feel the weight of a curse that had taken so much from him. Before she could say anything, the door opened, and Maddon stepped inside, "Are you showing her the family secrets, Daman?"
Daman shot him a look, but Maddon just chuckled, stepping forward to join them. "You might as well show her everything," he said, reaching for a journal on the desk. He handed her the journal, his fingers brushing against hers, sending a jolt of warmth in her arm. Scarle opened it, her eyes were on the pages filled with diagrams and notes in a neat and meticulous handwriting.
"These are my father's records," Maddon explained her. "He spent his life trying to understand the curse, and a way to protect us from it. But every time he got close, something stopped him."
Scarle's mind clenched as she turned the pages, her eyes lingered on a diagram of the curse symbols, their meaning hidden within ancient language. She looked up at Maddon. "So… he never found a way to break it?"
Maddon's expression changed, a shadow passing over his face. "He tried. But the curse has its way of twisting everything. The closer you get to the truth, the more dangerous it becomes."
She swallowed hard, but then Kier entered. He closed the door quietly behind him, his gaze goes between Daman and Maddon. "It's time you learned what we've been preparing for," he said, his voice calm. "If they're coming for you, we can't afford to wait any longer." There was a determination in Kier's eyes, a quiet strength that made her feel safe.
"What do you mean?" she asked. Kier took a step closer. "We've been preparing for this day for years, training to protect the one who would be connect to us. We never expected it to happen so soon, but now that you're here… we will keep you safe."
He extended a hand, and she took it, warmth spreading through her as their fingers touched. Kier led her out of the room, with Daman and Maddon following behind. They made their way through the dark hallways until they reached the house's vast training room, a place filled with everything from weapons to exercise equipment, a space clearly designed for rigorous preparation.
"We'll start from here," Kier said, releasing her hand. "If you're going to be part of this, you need to be prepared to defend yourself." Scarle's heart pounded as she took in the sight of the weapons lined up on the walls.
Daman steps forward. "This isn't just about training, Scarle. This is about survival. If they come for you, you need to be ready." He handed her a simple wooden staff, his fingers brushing against hers as he showed her how to hold it. His touch was warm which was grounding her as she tried to focus on the task at hand.
Maddon watched her with a smile at his lips. "Don't worry, Scarle. We'll go easy on you… at least for now. His teasing tone brought a small smile to her face, a welcome relief. She looked up at him, her heart pounded as she met his gaze.
They spent hours in the training room, the brothers guided her each movement, teaching her how to defend herself, how to stay alert and stay focused in danger. She stumbled and fell many times, but each time, they were there to help her back up.
By the time they finished, the first light of dawn was creeping in, casting a soft glow over the vast grounds. Scarle stood in the center of the training room, breathing heavy, her muscles aching, but a sense of accomplishment filled in her chest.
Kier stepped forward, his gaze warm as he looked at her. "You did well, Scarle."
She managed a tired smile. Her heart was filled with a mixture of pride and gratitude. For the first time since she'd arrived at the mansion, she felt like she was truly part of something.
And as they reached her room, each of them giving her a quiet nod before slipping away, she couldn't help but feel that, despite the darkness that surrounded them, she had found something worth fighting for.
To be continued...