Prologue: The Silent Contract
Seraphina's POV
I ran with all my strength, not caring about the harsh forest. It was past three in the morning and I kept running pushing past the trees, my legs burning from the fallen scratchy branches tearing at my flesh.
I couldn't let them catch me. Not now. The cold air hit me as fast as I went. I held my breath as best as I could. Feeling out of breath, I stopped under a tree, gasping for air when I heard fast footsteps. They weren't mine.
"Oh no," I murmured and looked over my shoulder to see a group of men searching for me with a torch light. I hid waiting for them to move away from me.
They did, but the universe wasn't pleased. One of the men turned to look behind and flashed his torch on my face.
"Miss Seraphina," he called and I started to run in the opposite direction. He was one of the guards my mother had assigned to watch me.
"Hey, stop, miss. Please!" He yelled. "Follow her!"
The men chased after me as I gasped, running like a maniac in the forest. They couldn't catch me. I wouldn't let them.
"Miss, please. Stop running. You're going to hurt yourself!" One of the guards yelled, but I didn't listen.
My bare feet slipped on the damp ground and I fell, rolling down the hill until I crashed into a stream.
I tried to get up, but I hurt my ankle. Their footsteps were getting closer. I tried to get up, but the pain shot through me hard. My left arm was wounded as well.
"Oh, God. Please. I can't get married to that man. Please, help me," I prayed and began dragging my feet.
If I could make it past these woods, I would be able to get out of town and would never see Luca again. He might have deceived my mother, but I wouldn't fall for his tricks.
I kept limping and suddenly a hand dragged my arm. It hurts like hell and I cried out, struggling to free myself from his grip.
"Let me go! My arm. It hurts!" I screamed, thrashing wildly.
The guard didn't listen, thinking it was another one of my tricks to escape.
"Let her go! Madame won't be pleased if she's hurt!" The second guard warned. He appeared from the bush, holding a torch light. He was the same guard who had caught me with his light. He was the chief guard despite his young age.
"Did you hear me?" He said, looking at the second guard.
"Yes, sir," the guard answered, letting go of my hand. I yelped in pain, holding my arm.
The other guards joined. "Take her back. Madame is waiting," the head guard ordered and one of the guards came forward to carry me.
I fought refusing to be taken back. My ankle hurts and the head guard noticed. "Ma'am, stop. You're hurt," he begged.
"Then, let me go. Just tell my mother you didn't find me. Please, just let me go," I begged.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I take orders from Madame. Please, you have to come with me," the head guard pleaded.
I shook my head, refusing the idea, but he only came closer. I stumbled backward and almost fell, but he caught me in time, carrying me on his shoulder.
"Let's go," the head guard ordered and the others followed him as I fought and struggled to get myself down.
I felt the air in my lungs burn as I cried. My vision became blurry the moment the guards took me back home. I hated this place.
The head guard gently let me down and mom walked up to me, smacking me hard on the face.
"How dare you?" She questioned. "Do you intend to ruin our family's name?"
"Our family's name?" I spat. "You only care about money."
"You will speak to me with respect. Do you hear me?" Mom yelled.
I kept quiet, staring at her angrily.
"Take her to her room," Mom ordered coldly and the head guard carried me on his shoulders to my room while I struggled.
I caught sight of my mother, at the top of the staircase before the head guard turned right to my room. My mother, Claudia Calabrese was a tough blonde and she was the mastermind of all my nightmares.
"This isn't fair!" I shouted, my voice cracking. "You can't do this to me! I hate you!"
"Stop!" Mom ordered the head guard and he froze. She calmly and gently walked up the stairs and came to me.
"Let her down," Mom commanded and the head guard listened.
"Now, listen young lady," Mom said in a serious tone. "This is the Calabrese family and you'll not bring shame to me. This marriage was arranged by your late father when you were a child. You'll marry Luca, and that's final. Do you understand?" Mom asked.
"I'd rather die," I spat, and mom raised her hand.
I turned my cheek, closing my eyes expecting something sharp, but nothing came.
"Then get ready to die at the hands of Vitales. You're getting married whether you like it or not," Mom spoke in a cold voice.
She turned to the maids. "I want her ready before the Vitale's come here. See to it that you get rid of all this mess. Fix her up."
"Yes, Ma'am," the maids answered, carrying the makeup, clean water and clothes into my room.
"Marcus," she called and the head guard answered.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Bar the windows once she's in!" Mom commanded.
"Yes, Ma'am," Marcus answered.
"What? You can't do this!" I shouted.
"Watch me!" Mom answered coldly. "This is my house, and you listen to my rules."
"I'll get back at you for this, I swear it," I yelled.
"Oh," mom groaned, taking a step closer to me. "How are you going to do that?'
Mom's gaze turned to the guards and it was devilish. "If she escapes again. I'll have you all dealt with. Do I make myself clear?" Mom asked.
"Yes, ma'am," they answered.