The heels of my boots echoed through the endless halls of the Avaris estate, each step reverberating like the chime of a clock counting down. The place was massive—an intricate web of polished marble, gilded archways, and heavy crimson drapes that swallowed the daylight. Shadows clung to the corners like living things, watching my every move.
I'd written this estate as Lucien's stronghold, a fortress befitting a villain who manipulated kings and crumbled empires with whispers alone. But living inside it? That was a different experience entirely.
It wasn't just a home. It was a statement: Power lives here.
...
I found myself in a corridor lined with portraits of the Avaris bloodline—stern faces staring down at me, their crimson eyes capturing every drop of pride and malice the family was known for. Even in paintings, their presence was suffocating.
At the end of the hall, a massive double door loomed before me, flanked by two stone gargoyles crouched like sentinels. I placed a hand on the cold wood and hesitated. Beyond this door is the council, I reminded myself. The same council that advised Lucien—or attempted to, at least.
They were the closest thing he had to allies.
Act Like Lucien.
I squared my shoulders, straightened the black coat that swept around my ankles, and pushed open the door.
The room was circular, built of dark stone and illuminated only by the pale glow of enchanted lanterns suspended overhead. At its center was a long table carved from obsidian, its surface polished to a mirror sheen.
Five individuals were seated around it, their murmured conversation dying as I entered.
Immediately, all eyes turned to me.
Crimson. Azure. Gold. Colors as varied as their personalities.
I recognized them instantly. After all, I'd created each one of them.
Silas Crowe—a lean man with sharp features and golden eyes that burned like molten metal. He was the family's spymaster, cloaked in a black coat adorned with intricate golden thread. Silas dealt in secrets and scandals, and his loyalty to the Avaris Family came at a price—one Lucien had always been willing to pay.
Vera Lome—a regal woman with silver hair and a crown-like adornment resting atop her head. Vera was the Avaris Family's treasurer, cunning with numbers and ruthless in negotiations. Her golden dress shimmered faintly in the light, its fabric woven with mana-infused silk.
Reynard Blackwood—a hulking figure with dark skin and a bald head tattooed with runic markings. He was the enforcer, the man Lucien trusted to crack skulls and enforce loyalty when diplomacy failed. His massive arms were crossed, his crimson eyes staring daggers at me.
Cassian Vale—the youngest, barely out of his twenties. Soft-featured with unruly auburn hair and azure eyes brimming with curiosity. Cassian handled the estate's magical archives and spent most of his time buried in books—a scholar with an unhealthy obsession for ancient power.
Amelia Thorn—the wildcard. A petite woman with foxlike features, copper hair, and sharp eyes that missed nothing. Amelia was an assassin who served as Lucien's personal blade in the dark.
These were the pillars of Lucien's power.
These were the people who would tear me apart if they suspected something was off.
"Late again, my lord," Vera said, her voice cool as frost. Her golden eyes lingered on me like she was studying every detail.
I offered a slow, deliberate smile and sat at the head of the table. "Punctuality is overrated," I replied, keeping my tone calm and sharp.
They expect confidence. Even control. Gotta keep up the act, and hope for the best.
Silas leaned forward, his golden gaze unnerving. "We've been discussing the mana anomalies. They're spreading."
"Spreading?" I asked, masking my unease.
Cassian was the first to respond. "Yes, my lord. At first, the distortions appeared in isolated locations, but the flow of mana is shifting now. It's as if something—or someone—is tampering with it."
I frowned, feigning thought. The mana anomalies were something I'd written as an escalation device—a sign of greater calamities yet to come. But the characters didn't know that. To them, it was a mystery. A threat.
"What do you suggest?" I asked.
Reynard grunted, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. "We need more information. Send scouts to observe the anomalies. Silas's spies can help track any unusual behavior."
"Or," Amelia interjected with a sly smile, "we could wait and see who gets consumed by it first. Less work for us."
The others shot her varying looks of disdain, but I felt something click in my mind. Lucien wouldn't wait passively. He would seize this opportunity—no matter the cost.
"Send the scouts," I ordered finally, my voice steady. "But report back to me directly. I want every detail."
....
As the meeting concluded, Cassian lingered, fiddling nervously with the edge of his robe.
"Is there something else?" I asked.
Cassian swallowed, his gaze flicking to me. "Forgive my intrusion, Lord Avaris, but… have you felt anything strange lately? A pressure? A shift in mana?"
My heartbeat quickened, but I kept my expression calm. "Why do you ask?"
"Because," he hesitated, "the family heirloom has been reacting differently. It pulses. It's as if it's… awake."
I stiffened.
The heirloom again. Was this how Lucien's power had truly worked? I'd never explained the Avaris family's power system in detail when writing the story. Lucien's strength had been a given—he was stronger, smarter, and darker than everyone else.
But now, living as him, I could feel it—a faint hum beneath my skin. Like something dormant, waiting to be unleashed.
...
As the council dispersed, I made my way to the Vault of Echoes, where the Avaris heirloom was kept. The vault was hidden deep within the estate, past wards that shimmered faintly with protective magic.
When I reached the chamber, I froze.
The crystal rested on a pedestal of black stone. It was larger than I remembered, glowing faintly with crimson light. It pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat.
I stepped closer, and as I did, a wave of power rippled through me—faint but undeniable. My vision blurred for a moment, and something whispered at the edge of my mind.
Awaken.
The crystal flared, bathing the chamber in red light. I stumbled back, gasping.
The hum beneath my skin grew louder. My blood felt like it was vibrating, alive with something I didn't understand.
Lucien's power.
But it wasn't just his.
It was mine now.
And I would learn to control it.