"You're not going alone," Ariana said firmly, her voice trembling but resolute. She stood in front of Kaelen, blocking his way out of the grand hall.
Kaelen tightened the strap of his leather jacket, his jaw working as he tried to keep his temper in check. "This isn't up for debate, Ariana. Lucian is dangerous. I won't risk you getting hurt."
"Do you think I don't know he's dangerous?!" she snapped, her hands balling into fists. "I'm not a child, Kaelen. I know what he's capable of. But this is my family we're talking about. My life. You can't just push me to the sidelines and fight this battle for me."
Kaelen shot her a glare, his green eyes darkening with frustration. "Your life?" he repeated bitterly, stepping closer. "Do you have any idea what Lucian will do to you if he gets the chance? You're not just a pawn in his game, Ariana—you're the key. He'll use you to destroy everything and everyone in his way, including me."
"And that's exactly why I have to come with you!" Her voice cracked, but she didn't back down. "If I don't face him now, he'll keep coming after you. After us. He doesn't care about me, Kaelen. I'm just—"
"Enough!" Kaelen's voice echoed through the room, silencing her. His chest rose and fell with uneven breaths as he fought to calm himself. "You don't get it, do you? Lucian isn't just some villain in a bad play. He's... he's a monster, Ariana. And if I have to become one to keep you safe, I'll do it."
Ariana flinched at his words, but she refused to let him see the fear in her eyes. "You're wrong," she said quietly. "You don't have to become a monster, Kaelen. You're already—"
"Don't." He cut her off, his voice low but sharp. "Don't try to tell me who I am."
She stared at him for a long moment, her lips parting as if to argue, but no words came. There was too much between them—too many unspoken truths, too many wounds that hadn't yet healed.
Finally, she broke the silence. "I'm going with you," she said again, softer this time but no less determined. "And you can't stop me."
Kaelen let out a harsh laugh, shaking his head. "You're impossible," he muttered. But there was no venom in his words, only a begrudging acceptance. "Fine. But if you get yourself killed, don't say I didn't warn you."
The car ride was tense, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Ariana stared out the window, watching the countryside blur into a tapestry of green and gold. She knew Kaelen was angry—she could feel it in the way he gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles white against the leather. But she didn't care. She couldn't sit back and let him face Lucian alone. Not when so much was at stake.
"You're quiet," Kaelen said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was gruff, but there was an edge of curiosity in it.
Ariana glanced at him, surprised he'd spoken. "So are you," she replied.
He smirked faintly but didn't look at her. "I'm always quiet. You, on the other hand, usually have plenty to say."
She frowned, unsure if he was mocking her or trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe I just don't feel like talking."
"Or maybe you're scared," he said, his tone unreadable.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her fear with defiance. "I'm not scared."
Kaelen finally turned to look at her, his green eyes piercing. "You should be," he said softly. "Lucian isn't someone you can reason with, Ariana. He doesn't care about right or wrong. He only cares about power. And if he thinks for one second that you're a weakness of mine, he'll use you to destroy me."
She swallowed hard, his words hitting her like a blow to the chest. "Then why are you letting me come with you?" she asked quietly.
He hesitated, his gaze flicking back to the road. "Because I don't trust anyone else to protect you."
The vulnerability in his voice caught her off guard, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. She'd always seen Kaelen as strong, unyielding—a fortress of stone. But now, she glimpsed the cracks beneath the surface. And it terrified her.
"Kaelen," she began, but he cut her off.
"Don't," he said sharply. "Don't try to make this about me. This is about Lucian. About stopping him before he hurts anyone else."
She nodded, though her chest ached with unspoken words. She wanted to tell him that she understood his pain, that she knew what it felt like to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. But she didn't. Instead, she turned back to the window, letting the silence settle between them once more.
When they arrived at the abandoned estate, the sun was sinking low on the horizon, casting the building in an eerie orange glow. The air was thick with tension, and Ariana's heart raced as they stepped out of the car.
"Stay close," Kaelen instructed, his voice low and commanding.
She nodded, following him up the crumbling steps. The door creaked open under his push, revealing a dimly lit foyer. Dust motes danced in the air, and the scent of decay lingered like a ghostly presence.
"Charming," Ariana muttered under her breath.
Kaelen shot her a warning look, but before he could respond, a voice echoed from the shadows.
"Ah, Kaelen. And you've brought my dear sister with you. How thoughtful."
Ariana's blood ran cold at the sound of Lucian's voice. He stepped into the light, his sharp features twisted into a cruel smile. His dark eyes flicked between her and Kaelen, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
"You've got some nerve showing up here," Kaelen growled, stepping protectively in front of Ariana.
Lucian chuckled, the sound sending chills through her. "Oh, come now, Kaelen. No need to be so hostile. We're all family here, aren't we?"
"Don't," Ariana said, finding her voice. "Don't pretend this is some happy reunion. You've been hunting me like an animal, Lucian. Why?"
His smile widened, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Because you're special, little sister. You're the key to everything. And I couldn't let anyone else have you—not even dear Kaelen."
Kaelen's fists clenched, his entire body radiating tension. "If you think for a second that I'll let you use her—"
"Use her?" Lucian interrupted, feigning innocence. "Oh, Kaelen, you misunderstand. I'm not here to hurt her. I'm here to save her—from you."
Ariana frowned, confusion and doubt swirling in her mind. "What are you talking about?"
Lucian's gaze softened, and for a moment, he almost seemed... genuine. "Hasn't he told you, Ariana? About his curse? About the destruction he leaves in his wake? He claims to protect you, but in the end, he'll only bring you pain."
"Don't listen to him," Kaelen said quickly, his voice urgent. "He's trying to manipulate you, Ariana. That's what he does."
But Lucian ignored him, stepping closer to her. "Think about it, sister. Hasn't he kept secrets from you? Haven't you felt the darkness around him? He's not your saviour. He's your undoing."
Ariana's head spun, doubt creeping into her mind. But when she looked at Kaelen, saw the pain and desperation in his eyes, something inside her shifted.
"Enough," she said, her voice steady. "I don't know what your game is, Lucian, but I'm not playing. Kaelen isn't perfect, but he's been there for me when no one else has. You, on the other hand, have done nothing but cause chaos."
Lucian's expression darkened, his mask of civility slipping. "You'll regret this, Ariana," he said coldly. "You'll regret choosing him over your own blood."
As they left the estate, Ariana felt a strange sense of relief. Lucian's words still echoed in her mind, but they no longer held the same power over her. She glanced at Kaelen, who walked beside her in silence.
"Thank you," she said softly.
He looked at her, surprised. "For what?"
"For trusting me," she said, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Even when I didn't trust myself."
Kaelen's expression softened, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. "You're stronger than you think, Ariana," he said quietly. "Don't let anyone, not even Lucian, make you doubt that."
But as they approached the car, Kaelen suddenly staggered, clutching his chest.
"Kaelen!" Ariana cried, rushing to his side.
He shook his head, his breathing uneven. "I'm fine," he said, though his voice was strained. "