The small study that Marcella had led them to was filled with yellowed documents and faded photographs.
Venus and Banibi had spent the better part of the morning rifling through them, but nothing stood out as particularly useful.
There were references to ancient rites, coded messages that hinted at deeper family secrets, and faded maps of the estate, but no clear answers about their role or what the heirloom truly meant.
Venus sighed and pushed a stack of papers aside. "This is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
Banibi leaned back in his chair, frustrated. "Or like looking for a needle that someone deliberately buried."
Marcella, who had been quietly observing them from the corner, finally spoke. "It's not surprising you didn't find anything concrete. The older generation is very good at hiding things, even from family members they claim to trust."
Venus frowned. "Then why bring us here? Why put us through all this if they don't even trust us?"
Marcella shrugged. "That's how the Landis operate. Control through mystery. They'll feed you crumbs and expect blind loyalty in return."
Venus stood, her jaw tight. "I'm done playing their games. I need to get back to my life."
Marcella raised an eyebrow. "You're really planning to leave?"
"I have to," Venus said firmly. "I can't afford to let this mess derail my final semester. I've worked too hard for this."
Venus found her father in his quarters, sitting by the window with a glass of wine in hand. The afternoon light streamed through the curtains, casting shadows on his weary face.
"Dad, we need to talk," Venus said, standing in the doorway.
Matteo looked up, his expression guarded. "What is it, Venus?"
"I want to go back to the city," she said without preamble. "I need to be in school, and Banibi doesn't belong here either."
Matteo sighed heavily and set his glass down. "Venus, I understand how you feel, but you can't leave. Not now."
"Why not?" she demanded, stepping into the room. "You dragged us here without warning, dumped a bunch of cryptic traditions on us, and now you're saying we're stuck? I deserve to know why!"
"It's not that simple," Matteo said, his tone low but firm. "There are expectations...."
"Expectations I never agreed to!" Venus interrupted, her voice rising. "I'm not part of this world, Dad. Neither is Banibi. You left it behind when Mom died, remember? You moved us to the city, gave us a normal life. Why are you pulling us back now?"
Matteo stood, his expression pained. "Because it's our duty, Venus. You're a Landi. Whether you like it or not, this is your legacy."
Venus shook her head, tears of frustration welling in her eyes. "My legacy is what I make of it, not what's forced on me. I'm leaving, Dad. I have to."
"You're not leaving," Matteo said, his voice hardening. "You'll stay here until the weekend is over. After that, we'll discuss your school arrangements."
Venus stared at him, stunned by his tone. Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the room.
Venus didn't stop walking until she reached her own quarters. Banibi was there, lounging on the bed and scrolling through his phone.
"Guess what," Venus said bitterly as she slammed the door behind her. "We're prisoners now."
Banibi looked up, confused. "What happened?"
"Dad won't let us leave," Venus said, pacing the room. "He says we have to stay until the weekend is over."
Banibi frowned. "That's ridiculous. He can't stop us."
"Maybe not physically," Venus said, "but he's sure as hell trying to guilt me into staying. I'm done, Banibi. I'm leaving. Today."
Banibi sat up, alarmed. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious," Venus said. "I'll find a way back to the city. You can stay if you want, but I can't be here anymore."
Banibi hesitated, then shook his head. "If you're leaving, I'm coming with you. No way I'm staying here alone."
Late that afternoon, Venus packed a small bag and left the mansion without telling anyone. Banibi had wanted to come with her, but she convinced him to stay, at least for now.
She needed to clear her head and figure out her next steps before dragging him into anything rash.
The gates of the estate creaked as she pushed them open, stepping out onto the lonely road that stretched through Sheniton.
The air was thick with the scent of pine, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird.
Venus walked briskly, her heart pounding. She didn't have a plan, just a fierce determination to put as much distance as possible between herself and the suffocating mansion.
About a mile down the road, she spotted a small truck parked by the side. A man in his late fifties stood beside it, loading sacks of grain into the back.
"Excuse me," Venus called out, approaching him cautiously.
The man turned, his weathered face breaking into a kind smile. "Afternoon, miss. You lost?"
"Not exactly," Venus said. "I need to get to the city. Is there any chance you could give me a ride?"
The man scratched his head. "The city's a fair distance from here. But I'm heading to a neighboring town in an hour. From there, you could catch a bus."
Relief washed over her. "That would be amazing. Thank you so much."
"Name's Peter," the man said, extending a hand.
"Venus," she replied, shaking it.
"Hop in," Peter said, gesturing to the passenger seat. "I've got a bit more loading to do, then we'll head out."
As Venus sat in Peter's truck, waiting for him to finish loading, the reality of what she was doing began to sink in.
She had no idea how her father would react when he discovered she was gone or what Marcella and Banibi would think. But for now, she didn't care.
She needed to get away, to breathe, to reclaim control of her life.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Banibi was covering for her absence, telling anyone who asked that Venus was resting in her room. But as the evening approached and she didn't return, he began to worry.
Marcella noticed his restless pacing and pulled him aside. "What's going on?"
Banibi hesitated, then sighed. "Venus left. She said she needed to clear her head."
Marcella's eyes widened. "She left the estate? Alone?"
"Yeah," Banibi said. "She said she'd be fine, but I'm starting to think this wasn't the best idea."
Marcella frowned, her mind racing. "We need to find her before anyone else realizes she's gone. If the elders think she's run off…"
"What?" Banibi asked nervously.
Marcella didn't answer. Instead, she grabbed her coat and headed for the front door.
Venus was tapping her foot anxiously in Peter's truck, glancing at her phone to check the time. She wanted to get as far away from Sheniton as possible before her father or anyone else realized she was gone.
The idea of facing another night in that oppressive mansion made her chest tighten.
Peter climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, the hum breaking the silence of the forested road. Venus leaned back, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
The truck rumbled down the dirt road, its headlights casting long shadows as the sun dipped below the horizon.
They were barely five minutes away from the estate when a sleek black car appeared in the distance, blocking the road ahead. Peter slowed the truck, squinting.
"Looks like someone's got trouble," he muttered.
As they drew closer, Venus's heart sank. She recognized the car immediately. The driver's door opened, and Marcella stepped out, her face calm but her posture commanding.
"Friend of yours?" Peter asked, glancing at Venus.
"Not exactly," Venus said, her voice tight.
Marcella walked up to the truck and tapped on the passenger window. Reluctantly, Venus rolled it down.
"Going somewhere, Venus?" Marcella asked, her tone even but her eyes sharp.
"I just needed some air," Venus said defensively.
Marcella smiled faintly. "Air is one thing. Running away is another."
Peter looked between them, clearly uncomfortable. "Uh, should I leave you two to talk?"
"Yes," Marcella said smoothly. "I'll take it from here."
Venus hesitated, but Marcella's firm gaze made it clear she wasn't leaving without her. Sighing, Venus climbed out of the truck.
"Thanks for the ride, Peter," she said quietly.
Peter nodded, unsure of what else to say, and drove off, leaving the two women standing in the growing darkness.
Marcella leaned against her car, watching Venus closely. "You're angry," she said matter-of-factly.
"No kidding," Venus snapped. "I told my dad I needed to leave, and he basically told me I'm a prisoner. What am I supposed to do, Marcella? Just sit there and play along with all this madness?"
Marcella folded her arms. "I understand why you're upset. But there are things you don't know about the Landi family, Venus. Things you need to understand before you make any rash decisions."
"Like what?" Venus challenged.
Marcella took a deep breath, her expression darkening. "Do you know what happened to the last family member who tried to run away from their duties?"
Venus frowned, her anger giving way to unease. "No."
Marcella stepped closer, her voice lowering. "Her name was Elenora Landi. She was your father's cousin. Brilliant, independent, just like you. She didn't want anything to do with the family's traditions. She left the estate, cut ties with everyone, and tried to build a life in the city."
"And?" Venus asked, though a part of her didn't want to know.
Marcella's eyes bore into hers. "A year later, she was found dead. No explanation. No evidence of foul play. Just… gone. And she wasn't the only one. There's a pattern, Venus.
Every Landi who rejects their role in the family faces consequences. Some say it's a curse. Others think it's the elders' way of protecting the bloodline."
Venus's stomach twisted. "You're saying… what? That if I leave, I'll end up like Elenora?"
"I'm saying you need to be careful," Marcella said. "This family doesn't take rebellion lightly. And the forces at play here are bigger than any of us."
Venus crossed her arms, trying to mask her fear. "That sounds like a convenient story to keep people in line."
Marcella shrugged. "Believe what you want. But ask yourself this: why would your father, who's always been so practical, suddenly drag you back here? Why would he risk alienating you and Banibi if it wasn't a matter of life and death?"
Venus hesitated, Marcella's words sinking in. As much as she wanted to dismiss them, a part of her couldn't ignore the sense of foreboding they carried.
Marcella placed a hand on Venus's shoulder. "Come back to the mansion. Give me time to help you figure this out. If you still want to leave after the weekend, I'll help you myself. But running away now will only make things worse."
Venus looked at the darkened road ahead, the weight of Marcella's words pressing on her. Reluctantly, she nodded.
"Fine," she said quietly. "But I'm not staying forever."
"Deal," Marcella said, a hint of relief in her voice.
They got into the car, the silence between them heavy as Marcella drove back to the estate. When they arrived, the mansion loomed in the moonlight, its imposing presence more unnerving than ever.
Marcella parked and turned to Venus. "Stay close to me tonight. If anyone asks where you were, say you went for a walk."
Venus nodded, her resolve to stay detached wavering. As much as she hated to admit it, Marcella's story had shaken her.
When they entered the mansion, the corridors were quiet, the family having retired to their rooms. Marcella led Venus to her quarters and paused at the door.
"Get some rest," Marcella said. "Tomorrow's another day."
Venus nodded again, her mind racing as she stepped inside. Banibi was sprawled on the bed, scrolling through his phone.
"You're back," he said, looking up. "What happened?"
"Marcella found me," Venus said, dropping her bag on the floor.
"And?" Banibi asked.
Venus hesitated, the weight of Marcella's story pressing down on her. "And I'm not sure we're safe here, Banibi. Not at all."