Chapter 6

Someone knocks softly at the door and I hear someone come in, without waiting for an answer. With my head in my hands, I don't know who it is.

I stiffen all my senses alert. What if Lucian had disobeyed his brother's orders? If he tried to hurt me again? I'm not sure I'm ready for a second round. I can feel someone sitting down beside me. A hand touches my shoulder.

I finally raise my head and look into Draven's benevolent face. He lets out a sigh. "I'm really sorry for what happened, I never thought Lucian would behave like that.”

I shook my head. “It's not your fault….”

"Everything that happens under this roof is my concern. I should have known he wouldn't be able to control himself. He's too fond of inspiring fear in others. He sometimes forgets that we are not all his enemies.”

Unable to control himself ?! If his brother behaves like this he should get treatment! I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand.

I let a wicked smile crack my lips. When the opportunity for this job came up, I thought it was finally an opportunity to make a fresh start.

Until I came across Lucian, everything was going smoothly. I wanted this new life at Ravenwood! But apparently, a simple and quiet life is not for me.

"I don't know what's wrong with your brother Draven… But, I'll take my things and leave. I don't feel safe here.”

Draven sits beside me but doesn't say a word. He just listens to me. Without Lucian, everything could have been perfect.

Curse him!

Still no comment from Draven, who just looks at me calmly.

I pace the room. My uneasiness continues to grow and I'm invaded by a dull misery. I can't concentrate anymore; I'm overwhelmed by a mixture of anger, fear and doubt.

In coming here, I didn't have a plan B. I didn't imagine that everything would go so wrong from the start.

And if I leave, where shall I go?

I can't call anyone. Since my parents' death, I have no family. I feel so alone at the thought.

"You're not alone, Celeste, I'm here for you.”

For a moment I'm amazed. How does he know exactly what I'm thinking?

But I hold back. Even if it is reassuring, I keep my distance. I don't trust so easily. Because of his brother's attitude, the least we can say is that we're not getting off to a good start.

"I've only known you for two hours, why would I trust you?”

“Because you need allies, and that's what I would like to be.”

“But why?” It seems like I've landed in a war zone …

"Don't worry, you live here now, and I feel responsible.”

"Uh... I think you don't quite understand me I'm leaving, right now.”

Draven’s lips thinned. "If you stopped looking on me as an enemy, you'd understand that I can be of help. I only want what's good for you.”

I get up and go back to sit on the bed. Draven follows. 

“Celeste…”

"Listen... I'm really grateful to you for intervening, but if you're at the point of having to knock out your own brother! Incidentally, how did you do that?”

Draven seems upset. He remains silent

"It's true, I was held down by his weight and you ... You were at the other end of the room, in the doorway.”

Draven waves away my questions with his hand. "Please, Celeste ... Stay!”

"I don't think that's a good idea.”

Again he seems upset, and I can sense exasperation in his voice. "Lucian scares away all the nannies we employ. It's a real problem. He behaves so badly that they all end up resigning. It's exhausting for us and, besides, it's not very good for Laura.”

I'm not surprised! If he behaves like that with all of them! But at the thought of the little girl, I feel my heart tighten. It's true that it's got nothing to do with her.

She shouldn't suffer because of her brother's behaviour. I let out a sigh. 

If I accepted to come here, it was above all to take care of the little girl. Not for Lucian …

Suddenly, Draven moves so close to me that I can feel his breath on my chin. His eyes stare into mine. There is something hypnotic, soothing about them …. He puts his hands on my shoulders and gradually my muscles relax. I feel much less stressed and, for an instant; I feel so good that I wonder what was so serious.

I feel warmer and my anguish seems to magically subside. I feel better immediately.

After all, the tussle with Lucian wasn't that bad. He was just trying to intimidate me… That's it... He's just an arrogant young idiot who thinks he can get away with anything.

Why leave if Draven promises to protect me…? I feel I can trust him. Yes. It's obvious I can.

"Very well ... I'll give it a try, but I'm not making any promises.”

At these words, A real smile appears on his face for the first time. "Wonderful, and know that I will personally take care of Lucian.”

"I hope so, I don't want to be a victim of his mood swings again …”

I'm serious; At the first slip, I'm off like a shot.

“I give you my word, it won't happen again, you can trust me.”

I stare at him for a moment. He seems so purposeful that I have to believe him. I nod in silence. I have to admit that … I, too, want it to work.

"Even so, with regards to what happened tonight, I want Lucian to apologise. Don't count on it, that's not his style.”

"Well, it should be, especially if he behaves like this with everyone.” Since I've decided to stay… Better to let his brother take care of him. "He'll have to change his attitude towards me …”

"Don't worry. I plan to keep an eye on him.” Draven's words hold promise. He steps back and looks at me. As if he was probing me to be certain I was reassured.

In my heart, I'm still anxious. "And at night? What if he takes advantage of the fact that everyone's asleep and tries to attack me again?”

"That won't happen, even if it means, I have to watch him every night, you can count on me, I won't let him hurt you…”

I'm going to need support in this house and, for now, he's the only one who seems really reliable. And well, it may not be necessary, after all.

I managed to convince myself. After all, Lucian didn't hurt me. He caught me off guard with his aggressive behaviour. 

Maybe it's crazy to stay. But curiosity prevails and I'm honestly very tired to think more on this.

Draven gets up and walks away from the bed smiling. He goes towards the corridor and is on the point of leaving my room. "I've had a snack prepared. Do you still want it?”

I realise then that, in spite of all these upheavals, I am hungry. I joined him smiling. “Yes.”

I follow him through a maze of corridors and rooms. It will certainly take me a few days to master the layout of the house. For now, I feel like I'm in an enormous labyrinth.

On arriving in the dining room, I see that the table is laid for one person. I look at Draven with surprise. "You aren't joining me?”

"I ate earlier in the evening, but I'll keep you company.”

I'm intimidated by the luxury of the room. The table is set in all its finery and a covered plate is placed in front of me.

Draven lifts it and reveals two, carefully presented ham sandwiches. I was expecting something extraordinary! 

I meet Draven's eyes, he grins cheekily. "I took care to prepare them myself?”

I smiled at him. Indeed, I'm not surprised. As I bite into the sandwiches, Draven tries to find out more about me. "From what I read on the form you sent us, you're an only child…”

“That's right.”

"And your parents died last year.”

I ignore the tightness that hugs my chest. "Yes, that's why I came here, I needed a fresh start... a change of scenery!”

"I understand. It's never easy to carry on after such events.”

Once my snack is finished, I sink back into my seat. "You, however, come from a large family…” I think I see him frown. But it's so quick that I'm not sure.

I scrutinise him to figure out his thoughts. I insist again, even if it means coming across as bad mannered. Which I'm not usually, but I need to know Draven better.

"You don't wanna tell me any more?”

Draven shakes his head and remains silent. Suddenly, I feel uncomfortable.

"It's not always easy to live together, but we adapt, and there are some advantages.”

"Like what?"

Draven seems surprised and he says as much, "We support each other through difficulties, protect the most vulnerable. Solidarity is most important to brothers and sisters. Don't you have any friends with whom you have strong ties?”

"I'll have to believe you, I've never had the experience. No, nobody, but that's not important…”

Draven tilts his head as he looks at me,  "Don't you have any friends with whom you have strong ties?”

"No, nobody, but that's not important…”

He looks doubtful and, I feel compelled to add, “Don't look like that, it's all right, I'm a very independent person, and loneliness is not something that scares me.”

At least… not always…

He gets up without adding anything and takes me to my room. Before he leaves, he says. "Celeste ... Don't forget you're not alone anymore.”