As much as I craved leaving this place and going to save Kai myself, the fear of doing it alone was to much and the knowledge that his father knows everything felt like a storm brewing overhead, the stakes never higher. I hadn't stepped outside the confines of this room since conversation with Sebastian earlier; the air thick with unspoken words and anticipation. Days of chaos and fear swirled in my mind, and the thought of finally getting Kai back felt like a fevered dream—exhilarating yet surreal, sending electric shivers coursing through my veins.
Perched by the window, I gazed into the bleak shadow of the forest beyond. Sunlight struggled to pierce the thick canopy, casting a muted glow on the treetops. I lost myself in a daydream of the life that awaited me, a life I had long been denied. My stomach growled resentfully, reminding me of my growing hunger just as Sebastian made his entrance.
"Hey hey, new clothes and food for m'lady." A playful twinkle in his eye, a light in the shadows, but I could only groan in response, my body too tired to rise. "We'll eat and get you ready, then I have something to show you." As he settled beside me, I struggled to sit up, my eyes widening at the feast laid before me—a glistening array of bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, and towering pancakes.
"I gotta feed my girl," he chuckled, oblivious to the fire simmering in my gaze. Still, the sight of such decadent food tempted me to bite back my irritation. He handed me a selection of exquisite clothes, urging me to change. "Mm, yeah, I'll head to the bathroom soon, but thank you."
"Oh, don't do that on my account," he teased, a devilish smirk curling his lips as he reclined against the bed, hands cradled behind his head. In that moment, I couldn't help but notice the striking resemblance he shared with Kai—same chiseled features, same build—everything akin to a mirage of familiarity, except for the hair. The realization hit me like a splash of cold water. How had I overlooked this before?
"Done checking me out, baby?" His sultry voice sliced through my thoughts, and I snapped my gaze to his. Flustered, I shoved a handful of bacon and pancakes into my mouth to conceal my embarrassment, then flipped him a middle finger as I retreated to the bathroom, feeling his eyes definitely linger on my ass.
Inside, I tried on the clothes Sebastian brought, the silky softness of the light blue sweatshirt wrapping me like a gentle embrace. The black leggings clung comfortably to my legs. I gave my reflection a quick once-over, tousling my hair into a messy bun, feeling oddly renewed as I returned to him.
"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go, slowpoke," I teased, sauntering toward him. I realised he changes clothes as well, waering a marl grey sweater and black sweatpants, a casual confidence radiating from him. I poked him playfully in the forehead, but before I could pull away, his eyes snapped to mine as he lightly bit my finger, drawing it into his mouth before I jerked back in disgust.
"That was absolutely disgusting," I wrinkled my nose, wiping my fingers on the bedsheet, an amused snort escaping him. He rose, laughter lacing his words. "Don't lie, sunshine, you love it. Now hurry up—we need to get down there before anyone starts their rounds."
I felt a wave of panic wash over me. "We're going to the cellars? Where Kai is? Won't that alert them about what we're doing?" My anxiety crept into my voice, but he gently silenced me with a wave.
"Don't worry, Delilah. I have it all planned out. No one's meant to be there for about four hours. I broke into my dad's office and snagged the keycard for the locks. We just need to disable the cameras, and tonight, when everything is locked down, we can get him out." I pressed my lips into a tight line, unease gnawing at me. "Where do you expect us to take him, Sebastian? We can't just drag him through town. And what about you? Don't you need him, or you'll get sicker?"
"True, I could get sicker," he admitted, determination flaring in his eyes. "But I'll figure that out myself. This is what I want to do, and I thought we'd just bring him back here."
"Here?" Shock rippled through me. "You want to keep him in the same place he's been locked in for years?"
"Think about it. No one will look for him here; it's perfect. They would never imagine he'd be hiding right under their noses. Plus, I have a plan to make it seem like he left." He extended his hand, and as he opened the door, I nervously grasped it, stepping into the unknown. Gosh, I hope this works.
We walk quietly down the dimly lit hallway, the air thick with tension. "How do we even get there from here?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
"A secret door," he replies, a soft chuckle escaping his lips, though I can tell he's holding back. "Honestly, now is not the time for jokes."
As we reach a large statue of a fallen angel, Sebastian pauses. His hand reaches behind the wing, pressing what appears to be a hidden button. My eyes widen in surprise. "Wait, is this real?" I gasp, watching in awe as the angel statue begins to rotate to the left, revealing a shadowy passage that leads deep underground. It really was a secret door.
Feeling an unsettling weight of eyes on me, I glance up at Sebastian. He meets my gaze, his expression a mix of reassurance and determination as he places his hand gently on my lower back. "You're safe with me," he murmurs, encouraging me to take the first step.
"This better not be a trick, or I swear I'll haunt you if you trap me down here," I warn, trying to mask the flutter of nerves with a scoff.
He smiles, a sparkle in his eyes. "Definitely not sunshine. I'd miss you too much," he says, his voice sincere, as we are submerged into the encroaching darkness.