Venus paced the length of her room, the soft glow of the antique bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls.
Banibi sat cross-legged on the plush armchair, watching her with concern.
"So, what's the plan?" he asked, breaking the tense silence.
"The plan?" Venus shot him a look. "The plan is to figure out what the hell we just got dragged into."
Banibi leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't think Dad's going to tell us?"
Venus stopped pacing and let out a humorless laugh. "Oh, he's had plenty of chances to explain. And what did we get? A half-hearted apology and more cryptic nonsense. I'm done waiting for answers from him."
Banibi frowned, running a hand through his curly hair. "Okay, but what are we supposed to do? It's not like we can just ask Uncle Rafael. He gives me the creeps."
"Agreed," Venus muttered, her mind racing. She glanced toward the window, where the vast estate grounds stretched into the darkness. "But someone has to know more. This house is full of secrets, and I bet they're written down somewhere."
Banibi raised an eyebrow. "You're saying we should snoop around?"
Venus shrugged, crossing her arms. "Why not? It's not like anyone here is going to hand us a guidebook. Besides, they owe us answers. If we're part of this 'legacy,' we have a right to know what it means."
For a moment, Banibi looked skeptical. Then he sighed and nodded. "Fine. But we have to be careful. These people are…weird. And I don't trust them."
Venus sat on the edge of the bed, leaning toward her brother. "Neither do I. That's why we need to stick together. No splitting up, no sneaking off without telling each other. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Banibi said firmly.
They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the night pressing down on them.
"Do you think the artifact has something to do with it?" Banibi asked quietly.
Venus hesitated, the memory of the artifact's strange energy flashing through her mind. "It has to. Did you feel it? When we touched it?"
Banibi nodded, his expression troubled. "Yeah. It was…intense. Like it was alive or something."
"That's what I felt too," Venus admitted. "And did you notice how everyone else acted during the ceremony? Like it was totally normal?"
"Yeah. Like they've done it a million times," Banibi said, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What if they have?"
The thought sent a shiver down Venus's spine. She leaned back against the headboard, trying to piece together the fragments of what they'd witnessed.
"Banibi," she said softly, "do you remember anything about Mom?"
He looked at her, surprised by the question. "Not really. I mean, I was just a baby when she died. Why?"
Venus stared at the ceiling, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think they hated her. The Landis, I mean. Dad never said it outright, but I could tell. They treated her like an outsider."
Banibi frowned. "Do you think that's why Dad left? To protect us?"
"Maybe," Venus said, though she wasn't sure she believed it. "But if that's true, why bring us back now? Why force us into this mess?"
Banibi didn't have an answer, and for a while, the room was silent except for the faint creak of the old house settling around them.
Finally, Venus stood, her determination hardening. "We'll figure it out. We'll find the answers, and we'll decide what to do from there. But one thing's for sure, I'm not letting them control us."
Banibi got to his feet, his resolve matching hers. "Me neither."
They shared a nod, their sibling bond stronger than ever. Whatever the Landi family had planned, Venus and Banibi were ready to face it together.
The next morning, Venus woke to the soft hum of voices echoing through the halls. The air smelled of fresh coffee and buttered pastries, a rare moment of warmth in a house that otherwise felt like a mausoleum.
Banibi was already dressed, sitting by the window, flipping through his phone. He looked up as Venus stretched and sat up in bed.
"They're here," he said simply.
"Who?" Venus asked, rubbing her eyes.
"More of the family. Cousins, aunts, uncles, people we've never met before," Banibi said, his tone wary. "I heard Dad talking to Uncle Rafael earlier. It sounds like everyone's coming in for the weekend."
Venus frowned. "Perfect. More strangers to add to the weirdness." She sighed and got up. "Let's get this over with."
As they made their way downstairs, the chatter grew louder. The grand living room was bustling with activity.
People of all ages milled about, some laughing, others in deep conversation. The atmosphere was oddly lively, a stark contrast to the eerie ceremony the night before.
Matteo stood near the fireplace, talking to a woman who looked to be in her fifties. She was elegantly dressed, her silver hair swept into a neat bun. When she spotted Venus and Banibi, her face lit up with a warm smile.
"You must be Matteo's children!" she said, approaching them. "I'm Aunt Lucia. It's so lovely to finally meet you both."
Venus forced a polite smile. "Nice to meet you too."
Lucia studied them with keen interest, her gaze lingering on Venus. "You look so much like your mother. Rebecca was such a beautiful woman."
Venus stiffened at the mention of her mother. "Thank you," she said curtly.
Lucia seemed to sense her discomfort and quickly changed the subject. "You must meet your cousins! They've been dying to see you."
Venus exchanged a glance with Banibi, both unsure of how to navigate this new wave of introductions.
The cousins turned out to be a mixed bunch. There was Clara, a lively teenager who talked a mile a minute; Julian, a brooding young man in his late twenties who seemed more interested in his phone than in socializing; and Marcella, a sharp-eyed woman in her thirties who exuded confidence.
Venus found herself drawn to Marcella, who had an air of authority that reminded her of no-nonsense professors back at school. Marcella caught her eye and smiled.
"You must be Venus," she said, extending a hand.
"Yes," Venus replied, shaking her hand. "And you're…?"
"Marcella. Your second cousin, I think? Honestly, the family tree gets a little tangled," Marcella said with a chuckle. "I hear this is your first time back at the estate in years."
"It is," Venus said, her tone guarded.
Marcella's smile faded slightly. "I know it can be overwhelming. This family has…a lot of history. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm around."
Venus nodded, surprised by the offer. "Thanks. I might take you up on that."
Later that afternoon, Venus found her father in the study, surrounded by stacks of old books and documents. He looked up as she entered, his expression softening.
"Venus," he said, setting down a leather-bound book. "What's on your mind?"
She crossed her arms, standing just inside the doorway. "I want to leave."
Matteo's face fell. "Leave? Why?"
"I'm in my final semester, Dad. I have classes, projects, and a life back in the city. I can't just drop everything to play along with whatever this is," Venus said, her voice firm.
Matteo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I understand how you feel. But this is important, Venus. Our family has traditions that need to be upheld."
"Traditions?" Venus scoffed. "You mean secret rituals and cryptic rules no one bothers to explain? I don't want any part of it."
Matteo stood, his expression growing serious. "You may not want it, but it's part of who you are. You're a Landi, Venus. That comes with responsibilities."
Venus took a step back, her frustration boiling over. "You keep saying that, but you won't tell me what it means! How am I supposed to take this seriously when you won't give me a straight answer?"
Matteo hesitated, guilt flickering in his eyes. "I'm trying to protect you."
"From what?" Venus demanded.
Before Matteo could answer, a knock at the door interrupted them. It was Aunt Lucia, her expression apologetic.
"Dinner is being prepared," she said. "The cousins are eager to spend more time with Venus and Banibi."
Matteo nodded, clearly relieved by the interruption. "Thank you, Lucia. We'll be there shortly."
As Lucia left, Venus turned back to her father. "This isn't over," she said, her voice low.
"I know," Matteo replied quietly.
Back in her room, Venus sat by the window, staring out at the sprawling estate. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, but the beauty of it was lost on her.
A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she said.
Banibi entered, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "How'd it go?"
Venus sighed. "He's as evasive as ever. I don't think we're getting any answers from him."
Banibi sat on the edge of the bed, nodding. "Then we'll have to find them ourselves."
Venus looked at him, a small smile breaking through her frustration. "You're really in this with me, huh?"
"Always," Banibi said, grinning.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Venus felt a flicker of hope. They might be surrounded by mystery and deceit, but at least they had each other.
The next morning, Venus decided to take Marcella up on her offer. After breakfast, she found her cousin sitting on the veranda, sipping coffee and reading a book.
"Hey," Venus said, approaching hesitantly.
Marcella looked up and smiled. "Good morning. Couldn't resist my charm, huh?"
Venus chuckled. "I figured I'd take you up on that talk. Got some time?"
Marcella gestured to the seat across from her. "Plenty. What's on your mind?"
Venus sat down, fidgeting with the edge of her sleeve. "This whole…family thing. It's a lot to process. You seem like someone who knows her way around it all."
Marcella leaned back, studying Venus. "It is a lot. The Landi name comes with weight and secrets. If you're not used to it, it can feel like being dropped in the middle of a storm without an umbrella."
Venus nodded. "That's exactly how it feels. And Dad's not helping. He keeps telling me it's my responsibility but won't explain what 'it' is."
Marcella sighed, setting her coffee cup down. "That sounds about right. Matteo's always been more of a gatekeeper than a guide. He thinks he's protecting you, but he's just making it harder."
"So, what do I do?" Venus asked, her voice tinged with desperation.
Marcella's gaze softened. "Stick around for the weekend. Watch, listen, and learn. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be when the time comes to make your own decisions."
Venus hesitated. "And what if I don't want to be a part of this?"
Marcella smiled faintly. "That's a decision only you can make. But before you decide, you need to know what you're walking away from or what you're fighting for."
Later that afternoon, Venus shared her conversation with Banibi as they explored the estate's gardens.
"So, she's willing to help?" Banibi asked, plucking a flower and twirling it between his fingers.
"I think so," Venus said. "But we need to play it smart. We can't come across as too suspicious or desperate."
Banibi nodded. "Got it. Charm and subtlety. My two greatest strengths."
Venus laughed. "Sure they are."
As they walked, they passed a group of cousins lounging by the fountain. Clara, the chatty teenager, waved them over.
"Hey! Come hang out with us!" she called.
Venus exchanged a look with Banibi. "Let's do it," she said.
Sitting with Clara, Julian, and a few others, Venus and Banibi were drawn into lighthearted conversations about everything from favorite movies to embarrassing childhood stories.
Clara leaned toward Venus, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, what do you think of the estate? Pretty wild, huh?"
"It's…a lot to take in," Venus admitted.
Julian smirked, finally looking up from his phone. "That's the polite way of saying it's a freak show."
"Julian!" Clara scolded, but she was laughing.
"What? It's true," Julian said, shrugging. "This place is all about tradition, secrets, and keeping up appearances. You either adapt or you don't."
Venus studied him, sensing a hint of bitterness beneath his nonchalant tone. "And what about you? Did you adapt?"
Julian's smirk faded. "Not really. I stick around because it's expected. But if I had my way, I'd be anywhere but here."
Venus filed that away, wondering if Julian might also be a potential ally.
That evening, Venus found herself alone with her father in the library. The room was dimly lit, the scent of old books and polished wood filling the air.
"Dad," she began, "why didn't you tell us about the ceremony before bringing us here?"
Matteo sighed, setting down the book he was reading. "I didn't think it would matter. I thought it was better to let you experience it firsthand rather than burden you with explanations."
"Burden us?" Venus repeated, her voice rising. "Do you even hear yourself? You dragged us into something we didn't ask for, and you're still keeping us in the dark!"
"I'm trying to protect you," Matteo said, his tone weary.
"From what?" Venus demanded.
Matteo hesitated, then shook his head. "It's complicated. Just trust me, Venus."
Venus stared at him, frustration and hurt bubbling to the surface. "I don't think I can do that anymore."
Before Matteo could respond, Banibi entered the room, his expression a mix of concern and determination.
"Venus, let's go," he said, his voice steady. "We've got plans to make."
The next morning, Venus and Banibi sought out Marcella again, this time in the sunlit parlor where she was arranging flowers in a vase.
"Marcella," Venus said, "we need your help."
Marcella looked up, raising an eyebrow. "That sounds serious."
"It is," Banibi said. "We need to understand what's going on with this family, what's expected of us, what the rituals mean, everything."
Marcella set down the vase and crossed her arms. "That's a tall order. But I respect your honesty."
"Does that mean you'll help?" Venus asked.
Marcella studied them for a moment, then nodded. "I will. But you need to understand that this family doesn't take kindly to dissent. If you're going to dig, you need to be discreet."
"We can do that," Banibi said.
"Good," Marcella said. "Then let's start with the basics. Follow me."
She led them to a small, hidden study filled with old documents and photographs. "This is where I keep everything I've learned about the Landi legacy," Marcella explained. "If you want answers, this is a good place to start."
As Venus and Banibi began sifting through the papers, a sense of purpose settled over them. For the first time since arriving at the estate, they felt like they were gaining ground.