The air inside the mansion felt thicker following the murder. The sound of guards' footsteps reverberated through the dark passageways as they patrolled. But the gnawing sensation in my stomach persisted despite all the security.
Someone was watching me.
Staring at the flickering candle on my nightstand, I sat on my bed with my knees pulled up to my chest. The shadows twisted into shapes that made my imagination turn into monsters as they danced over the walls. I tightened my fingers on the blanket.
Eva, take a breath. Simply take a breath.
I was startled by a knock on the door.
I listened and froze. It was as if someone was checking to see if I was awake. I was so sure they could hear my heart beating through the door.
"Who is it?" I barely managed a whisper.
No response.
After taking a deep breath, I got up and slithered over to the door. I strained to hear anything on the other side as I put my ear against the wood. There was a sound of shuffling. A whisper followed.
Low, she whispered. Indecisive.
A shiver went through my body.
The doorknob then twisted.
I staggered back, staring at the handle as it twisted slowly and purposefully. My breath caught. I reached for the closest thing, a candle holder, and raised it in preparation for a swing.
The door opened with a squeak. My muscles stiffened. I clenched my fingers.
Then I caught sight of him.
Lucas.
He was standing in the doorway, looking at me as if to see if I was harmed, his face unreadable. He tightened his jaw and closed the door behind him as he entered.
"What are you doing?" I was surprised at how piercing my voice sounded.
He took a while to respond. Instead, he drew nearer, his presence overwhelming me as his scent, which was woodsy and heavy, clung to me.
"I needed to see you."
As I touched the candleholder, my fingers quivered.
I let out a shaky breath and whispered, "You truly terrified me." "For a moment, I believed—"
"That the murderer was me?" His eyes lacked humour, yet his lips twitched slightly.
I turned my head away, feeling ashamed. "I don't know what to think."
His fingertips brushed my wrist as he extended his hand. Despite my shivers, I didn't back down.
"You're not safe here, Eva."
I took a deep breath. "I am already aware of that."
He paused. Then: "I believe I know who is pursuing you."
I gasped. "Who?"
He didn't respond right away. He looked at me instead, as if he was considering whether or not to say it out loud. My pulse pounded my ribs. Whether it was fear or the way his touch clung to my flesh, I couldn't tell.
There was a long pause. Then there was a sound outside the door.
We both jerked our heads in its direction. Steps. Slow. Measured.
Before I could respond, Lucas grabbed me by the waist and drew me in. The abrupt contact caused my heart to skip a beat as my hands flattened against his chest. "Don't make a sound," he said, his breath hot against my ear and his warmth pressing into me.
Just outside the door, the footsteps came to a stop.
My body became immobile. I was barely breathing.
The knob on the door shook. Once, twice.
Lucas held on to me more tightly. His chest vibrated with a rumble so deep I believed I was dreaming.
The footsteps then backed off as abruptly as they had begun.
Quiet.
I shakily exhaled, but Lucas remained motionless. His muscles were still taut, as if he were about to leap. His dark, unfathomable gaze darted toward me. His grip on me remained firm.
It ought to have been oppressive.
It didn't.
I ought to have moved away.
I didn't.
His fingers moved slowly and cautiously across my arms. "You're trembling."
Yes, I was.
He brushed a lock of hair behind my ear as he breathed through his nose. "They're observing you."
I swallowed because I couldn't take my eyes off of him. "Who?"
His jaw muscle twitched. "I'm not sure yet."
Inside, I was boiling with frustration. "So why don't you?"
He held on to me for a moment before releasing me. "Because we don't have much time if I'm right, and I have a damn good idea."
My heartbeat was still erratic as I gazed at him. "Then tell me."
Someone knocked on the door.
The situation is no longer the same as it was. This one was intentional. imposing.
Ryan.
Lucas's gaze grew gloomy. Just as Ryan's voice entered the room, he moved away. "Eva? Are you conscious?
Lucas looked at me. Keep quiet.
After hesitating, I tried to sound regular. "Yes."
A pause. "Open the door," you say next.
Lucas gave a quick exhale. "I ought to leave."
"No." Before I could stop it, the word got out.
He furrowed his brows. "Eva—"
I said in a whisper, "Just wait." "He'll hear you if you leave now."
Ryan knocked more forcefully. "Eva."
With a muttered curse, Lucas made his way to the balcony. The cool night air swept in as he pushed the door open. His gaze locked with mine. "When I'm done leaving, lock the door."
I gave a nod. After another moment of hesitation, he went outside and disappeared into the darkness.
I rushed over and unlocked the door.
Ryan entered right away and looked around the room. Before focusing on me, his gaze lingered on the open balcony doors.
He said, "You look pale," and shut the door. "Are you alright?"
I put my arms over myself and nodded. Indeed. Simply exhausted.
He stepped closer, but his face was inscrutable. "I don't want you sleeping alone tonight."
My stomach twisted. "Why?"
"Because this house has a murderer."
I looked him in the eye. "Do you think I require protection?"
Ryan didn't flinch. "I am certain that you do."
I gulped, attempting to steady my voice. "Then, where should I sleep?"
His mouth curled slightly. "With me."
I gasped.
Before I could reply, a shrill scream broke the silence.
Ryan whirled in the direction of the door.
A dark figure was vanishing into the trees as I dashed to the balcony.
Lucas.
Then there were more footsteps. More yelling. There was one more scream heard.
And I was aware.
They had just discovered another body.
Who would come next?