The estate was eerily silent as Isla crept down the long, dim corridors, her cloak clutched tightly around her shoulders. The heavy curtains drawn over the windows muted the moonlight, turning the familiar halls of her family's home into a shadowy labyrinth. Her pulse quickened with every step, her mind racing as she replayed the events of the past few hours.
Adrian had come to visit Thomas—that much was clear. But why? What could he possibly want with her brother, especially after the fiasco in the lower city? And why had he left so suddenly, slipping away into the night without a word? Whatever the reason, Isla wasn't about to let him vanish without answers.
It had been startling enough to see Adrian at the estate earlier that evening. He'd arrived unannounced, his usual swagger muted but still present, and made his way straight to Thomas's room. Isla had watched from the shadows as the two of them spoke in hushed tones, their expressions tense. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she'd caught glimpses of Thomas's pale face and Adrian's grim demeanor. Something was wrong—something serious.
And then, just as quietly as he'd arrived, Adrian had slipped away. But Isla had seen him heading toward the stables, and she hadn't hesitated. Whatever he was up to, she intended to find out.
Now, as she approached the back door that led to the estate's sprawling grounds, her determination solidified. If Adrian thought he could keep her in the dark, he was sorely mistaken.
---
The cool night air hit her like a slap as she stepped outside, her boots crunching softly against the gravel path. The estate's stables loomed ahead, their doors slightly ajar. She could hear the faint rustle of movement inside, the soft whinny of a horse. Adrian was still there.
Isla ducked into the shadows, her heart pounding as she crept closer. Through the gap in the stable doors, she caught sight of him saddling a sleek black horse, his movements quick and efficient. His dark coat was pulled tightly around him, and his face was set in a grim line. He looked as though he was about to ride into battle.
She hesitated for a moment, unsure of her next move. Confront him? Demand answers? Or follow him and see where he was going? The latter seemed safer—and far more likely to yield the truth.
As Adrian mounted the horse and urged it out of the stables, Isla waited until he was a safe distance away before slipping inside. Her own mare, a gentle chestnut named Lyric, greeted her with a soft nicker. Isla quickly saddled her, her fingers trembling slightly as she worked.
"Sorry, Lyric," she whispered, stroking the horse's neck. "But we're going on a little adventure tonight."
Moments later, she was riding after Adrian, keeping a careful distance as they left the estate grounds and headed toward the forest that bordered the property. The path ahead was narrow and overgrown, the trees casting long, jagged shadows in the moonlight. Isla kept her cloak pulled tightly around her, her breath visible in the cool night air.
Adrian rode ahead, his posture straight and his movements deliberate. He didn't glance back once, seemingly unaware of her presence. Isla's curiosity burned brighter with every step. Where was he going? And why in the dead of night?
---
After what felt like an eternity, Adrian finally slowed his pace, guiding his horse off the main path and into a small clearing. Isla stopped just short of the clearing, dismounting and tying Lyric to a tree. She crept forward on foot, keeping to the shadows as she watched him.
The clearing was empty save for a single figure waiting near the edge of the trees. Isla's breath caught as she recognized the man—Elias. The same wiry, scarred figure who had held her brother captive just days ago. What in the world was Adrian doing meeting with *him*?
Adrian dismounted, his boots crunching against the frost-covered grass as he approached Elias. The two men exchanged a few curt words, their voices too low for Isla to hear. She strained to make out their conversation, inching closer to the edge of the clearing. Her heart was racing now, her mind spinning with possibilities. Was Adrian working with Elias? Was he involved in whatever had put Thomas in danger?
And then, Adrian's voice rose just enough for her to catch a fragment of their exchange.
"You said you had information," he said, his tone sharp. "I didn't come all this way to play games, Elias."
Elias smirked, his scar twisting his features into something sinister. "Patience, Blackthorn. You'll get what you're after. But first, let's talk about the price."
Adrian's expression darkened. "We already agreed on the price."
"Did we?" Elias stepped closer, his hand resting casually on the hilt of a dagger at his belt. "Because I seem to recall you being in quite the hurry to save that boy the other night. Desperation has a way of making people sloppy."
Isla's stomach twisted. They were talking about Thomas. But why? What did Adrian want from Elias, and why was Thomas at the center of it?
Adrian took a step forward, his voice low and dangerous. "If you're trying to renegotiate, I suggest you think carefully. I'm not in the mood for your games."
Elias chuckled, clearly unfazed. "Relax, Blackthorn. I'm just making sure we understand each other. You want the letters, don't you? The ones your little fiancée's family would kill to keep hidden?"
Isla's blood ran cold. The letters. Of course. Everything always came back to the letters. But if Adrian was looking for them, that meant he knew more than he was letting on. Much more.
She barely had time to process this revelation before a twig snapped beneath her foot, the sound echoing like a gunshot in the quiet clearing. Both men froze, their heads snapping in her direction.
"Who's there?" Adrian demanded, his hand going to the sword at his hip.
Isla's heart leapt into her throat as she stepped out of the shadows, her cloak billowing slightly in the cold night breeze. "It's me," she said, her voice steadier than she felt.
Adrian's eyes widened slightly before narrowing in frustration. "Isla? What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," she shot back, her gaze flicking to Elias. "But I think I already know."
Elias grinned, clearly enjoying the turn of events. "Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Looks like we have a little spy on our hands."
Adrian stepped between them, his expression tense. "Leave her out of this," he said sharply. "She has nothing to do with our deal."
"Doesn't she?" Elias drawled, his eyes flicking to Isla with interest. "If it weren't for her brother, we wouldn't even be having this conversation."
"Enough," Adrian snapped, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. He turned to Isla, his expression a mix of anger and concern. "You shouldn't be here. Go back to the estate."
"No," Isla said firmly, planting her feet. "Not until you tell me what's going on. Why are you meeting with him? What do you want with the letters?"
Adrian hesitated, his jaw tightening. "It's complicated."
"Then uncomplicate it," she shot back. "Because right now, it looks like you're playing both sides."
"I'm trying to protect you," Adrian said, his voice rising. "You and your brother. But if you keep throwing yourself into the middle of things you don't understand, you're going to get hurt."
"I'm already in the middle of it!" Isla snapped. "My brother was kidnapped. My family is falling apart. And now you're—"
Her words were cut off by the sound of horses in the distance, the faint jingle of bridles growing louder with each passing second. All three of them turned toward the sound, the tension in the air growing thick.
"Elias," Adrian said sharply. "Did you bring anyone else?"
Elias frowned, his hand going to his dagger. "This isn't me."
Before anyone could react, a group of riders burst into the clearing, their faces obscured by dark hoods. Isla barely had time to register the glint of steel before chaos erupted.
Adrian drew his sword in an instant, his movements fluid and precise as he blocked the first attack. Elias let out a string of curses, diving for cover as the riders dismounted and charged. Isla stumbled back, her heart racing as she searched for cover.
"Stay down!" Adrian shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Don't move!"
But Isla's feet refused to obey. She watched in horror as one of the riders lunged for Adrian, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. Another rider turned toward Elias, who was now defending himself with a dagger and a string of creative insults.
And then, before she could think better of it, Isla grabbed the nearest weapon—a fallen branch—and swung it at the rider closest to her. The impact sent him stumbling, but it also drew his attention.
He turned to her, his eyes narrowing beneath his hood. Isla's breath caught as he raised his sword, the blade gleaming in the moonlight.
Time seemed to slow as she braced herself, her pulse pounding in her ears. But before the blade could strike, Adrian was there, his sword cutting through the air and deflecting the blow. He stepped between her and her attacker, his expression furious.
"I told you to stay down!" he shouted, his voice rough with anger.
Isla opened her mouth to retort, but the words caught in her throat as another rider charged toward them. Adrian spun, his blade meeting theirs in a clash of steel.
The fight was a blur of movement and sound, the clearing alive with the chaos of battle. Isla's chest heaved as she stumbled back, her fingers tightening around the branch in her hand. She had no idea how this had gone so horribly wrong, but one thing was clear: the story was spiraling out of control.