Arabella's POVAfter Damian left, I sat at the table, slowly finishing the egg and bread he'd made for me. My appetite wasn't great—I was too busy overthinking. What was I doing in this strange castle? Why was Damian so cold yet oddly protective? And why did his family seem both amused and unnerved by my presence?I shook the thoughts away, focusing instead on the eerie silence that wrapped around the castle. Once I finished eating, I cleaned my plate and decided to wander the halls again. It was better than sitting and stewing in my own thoughts.As I walked, I let my fingers trail along the cold, smooth stone of the walls. Every step seemed to echo endlessly, a reminder of how empty and vast this place was. Just when I began to lose myself in the monotony of the endless corridors, a sound caught my attention.It was faint at first—a series of soft, haunting notes carried on the air. A piano.I followed the sound, the melody growing louder with each step. It was mesmerizing, both gloomy and thrilling, like it was telling a story of sorrow and power. My curiosity grew until I found myself standing outside a large, open doorway.Peeking inside, I saw the source of the music—a grand piano sitting in the center of the room. Behind it was a woman, her back to me as her fingers danced effortlessly over the keys.She was elegant, her long, dark hair cascading down her back like liquid silk. Even without seeing her face, I could tell she was striking. Her presence filled the room, commanding yet composed.The music stopped abruptly, and she turned her head slightly, as if sensing me."Don't be shy," she said, her voice low and smooth. "Come in."Hesitant, I stepped into the room. She finished the piece with a dramatic flourish before standing and turning to face me fully.She was stunning. Her pale, flawless skin contrasted against the dark fabric of her gown, and her ice-blue eyes bore into me with unnerving intensity."You must be Arabella," she said, her lips curving into a faint smile."Yes," I replied, feeling a chill run down my spine."I'm Selene," she said, walking slowly toward me. "Damian's sister."Her gaze swept over me, lingering for just a moment too long. It made me uncomfortable, like she was looking through me rather than at me."You play beautifully," I said, gesturing toward the piano in an attempt to break the tension."Thank you," she replied simply, though there was something in her tone that felt calculated.Selene stepped closer, and I instinctively took a small step back. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her head tilting as she studied me."You smell... strong," she said suddenly, her voice quieter, almost thoughtful.I blinked, confused. "Excuse me?"She smiled, though it wasn't comforting. "Your scent. It's so... distinct. I noticed it the moment you walked in."I tensed, remembering Aamon's words when we first met. He'd said something similar, though his approach had been far less subtle.Selene's gaze darkened, her expression unreadable. "It's rare for someone to smell so strongly. It lingers, almost like it's calling attention to you."I frowned, suddenly self-conscious. "That's... a strange thing to say.""Strange, but true," she said, her smile widening slightly. "I can see why Damian is so protective of you. A scent like yours would attract... all kinds of attention."Her words sent a chill through me. "What does that mean?"Selene tilted her head, as if debating how much to say. "Let's just say you don't exactly blend in here, Arabella. Your presence is... noticeable."I crossed my arms, trying to mask my growing unease. "Damian said something similar. What is it about this place that makes me stand out so much?"She smirked, her eyes glinting with amusement. "That's not for me to explain. But you should be careful. Not everyone here will show the same restraint as Damian."I stared at her, my pulse quickening. "Restraint?"Selene stepped closer, her smile fading as her expression turned serious. "Be careful, Arabella," she said, her voice low. "The scent of your blood is... tempting. For some, it might be too tempting."Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "Are you saying I'm in danger?"She didn't answer directly. Instead, she gave me a long, unreadable look before stepping back toward the piano. "Just stay close to Damian," she said, her fingers brushing over the keys. "He's the only one here who truly has your best interests at heart."Before I could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hall. Both of us turned as Damian entered the room, his expression sharp as his golden eyes flicked between us."Selene," he said, his tone laced with warning.She smiled sweetly, though there was a teasing edge to it. "Relax, brother. I was just getting acquainted with your little guest."Damian's jaw tightened. "Leave her alone."Selene chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You're so protective," she said, brushing past him. "I wonder... why is that?"Her words hung in the air as she disappeared into the hallway, leaving me alone with Damian."What did she say to you?" Damian asked, his voice cold."Nothing much," I said, though my voice trembled slightly. "She just... made some strange comments about me being noticeable."Damian's eyes darkened. "Ignore her.""That's getting harder to do," I shot back. "She said something about my blood being tempting. What is that supposed to mean?"Damian hesitated, his gaze flickering with something I couldn't quite place—guilt, maybe? Or fear?"It doesn't matter," he said finally. "Just stay away from her.""That's not good enough," I snapped. "You keep telling me to stay away from people, but you won't tell me why. Don't you think I deserve some answers?"Damian stepped closer, his expression hard. "The answers will come when you're ready for them," he said quietly."And when will that be?" I demanded.He didn't respond. Instead, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me alone with more questions than answers.