Chapter 1 Raining storm
Great gusts of wind outside shook the wide estate windows while the Cameloe family residence stood in its path. The heavy rain assault on the glass windows produced twisted dancing shadows through the sparsely lit expansive hall. In the drafty room the brass candle holders worked to survive while their flames flickered on. Ariana Cameloe stood paralyzed next to the staircase while holding tightly to the elegant wooden banister to maintain herself. She shouldn't have been there. She shouldn't have heard it.
Antony Raymond spoke with a deep mocking sound that penetrated beyond the sounds of the storm. You must admit it resembles poetry. His voice revealed smug contentment as he spoke. Without being aware Ariana stands as the essential component to every puzzle. The revelation will reach her when the moment passes into eternity.
While peering through the small space between the wooden bars Ariana felt her chest tighten. From his position near the fireplace Antony appeared as a large shadow against the dancing flames. He appeared as the strong and poised man she had fallen in love with yet his twisted smirk now caused her stomach to turn.
Rachel Lawrence stood next to Antony while laughing softly just like the sound that had once felt comforting to Ariana. Ice breaking sounds emitted from Rachel's tone. Rachel Lawrence stood against the mantle as Ariana watched her closest friend reflect the fireplace's flickering light through her green dress. She spoke in pure rage when Rachel said "You're right." "She's so trusting. So naive. This entire task has become plain dull and effortless to accomplish.
Ariana used her shaking left hand to cover her lips as her heart thrashed wildly against her rib cage. She was shocked to hear these words. Whatever this situation was it seemed like a mix of miscommunication and malicious trickery. It had to be.
Antony's smirk widened. The descent of her stepmother toward ruin will occur rapidly. My accusations will reduce the Cameloe family to ruins after I present Rachel as an enemy. The eclipse of Madison's entire fortune will force Ariana to depend on me. I'll control everything"
Rachel turned her head while her mood became more ominous. "And when do I get my reward? It feels good to watch Ariana discover my long-hidden dislike for her yet I demand bigger rewards.
Antony delivered his answer with cold determination. We will divide the inheritance between us after Ariana's family suffers destruction and Madison disappears. "Your actions have been excellent Rachel," Antony said.
Outdoors the storm howled still louder as whiteness swirled around Ariana yet she thought about the internal frenzy in her brain. Her body revolted with nausea while acid filled her throat because she finally understood their betrayal. The man who had her trust and the woman she confided in made plans to destroy everything which she cared about.
The slight noise of wood creaking under her shoe revealed her position to Antony as she slipped on the stair. A sharp expression crossed Antony's face when he turned toward the staircase while standing in darkness. "Who's there?"
Her anger and broken heart displayed as she approached while her face lost color. "How could you?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Antony… What darkness drives you to harm me like this Rachel?
A brief hesitation passed across Antony's face before his refractory smirk settled on his grim countenance. With mock tenderness he addressed her saying "Ah, Ariana." "You shouldn't have been eavesdropping. It's unbecoming."
Rachel released a piercing nasty laugh that cut through the air. "Poor Ariana. She had a habit of trusting easily and staying devoted to fantasies. Do you believe Antony cared about you when he knew how foolish your belief in his love was? That I cared about you?"
Ariana made fists with both her hands while keeping them at her sides. "You're monsters," she spat. "Both of you. I trusted you! I loved you!" Despite her shattered voice she continued speaking without shedding tears. You will not succeed in your plans. I'll—"
"You'll do what?" Antony interrupted, stepping closer. A threatening gleam appeared from the darkness of his eyes. "You can't stop us, Ariana.
The ability to govern others or manipulate situations escapes you because you possess none of these qualities. Your position in this game is that of an insignificant piece trapped in a battle you never had any chance to win.
Ariana noticed her body shaking from fury yet Antony attacked before she could say anything. His hand hit her face with force until she hit the marble floor which felt like ice. At that moment her skull fractured with agony as the world loss its clarity.
Antony spoke softly as he knelt beside her face while saying "You're too stubborn for your own good." His speech stayed emotionless without the magnetic appeal which she had once found so appealing. The destiny you worked so hard to build could collapse because of your actions. People thought you were the ideal little scheme but now you serve as nothing more than a threat to their plans.
Rachel stood above them with a smug grin while her arms rested like a cross across her body. "Goodbye, Ariana," she said softly. "It's been fun."
With firm pressure Antony applied his hands around Ariana's throat until she lost consciousness. She fought against the grip as consciousness left her body while the candlelight flickered in her growing darkness. Broken lightnings from outside thundered at their loudest point in perfect synchrony with Antony's vicious facial expression.
When her body reached hypothermic temperatures Ariana's mind logged both regrets and burning fury. Her thoughts raced between remembrances of Madison along with the unhappy life she shared with her stepmother but mostly the profitable existence she once enjoyed. She thought back to the love she gave him which he used to harm her only because he desired her destruction.
She blinked once before losing consciousness as she thought about another chance in life. I would make them pay. I would protect my family. I would…
A thunderous storm approached as lightning hit so intensely that the earth trembled without radiation. Her final breath left her body while everything around her ceased to move.
A short interval passed without any sound. The very air responded to her last desperate plea with a transformation. The storm's power swelled beyond control while the atmosphere released abnormal electrical discharges. The space emitted an odd otherworldly illumination that seemed to pulse before her eyes.
everywhere turn darkness