Anastasia Victoria glanced at me a few times through the rearview mirror, but she remained silent. Ryan, sitting in the passenger seat, tried to lighten the mood by flipping through the radio stations, his casual demeanor failing to ease the tension.The car jolted to a stop with a crunching sound as it rolled over the gravel. I didn’t wait for Victoria to switch off the engine. My frustration wasn’t really directed at her—it wasn’t her fault. I was more annoyed with myself for not anticipating the situation.I bounded up the porch steps and hurried through the foyer to the first-floor staircase. I paused after a couple of flights, realizing I had lost track of the number of stairs and the path I’d taken. My mind was elsewhere, lost in thought.When I reached the doorway, I noticed it was slightly ajar, which was different from how I had left it. If I had a ghost, it would have been my chance to catch them in the act. I would’ve advised them to find a safe spot before making their ex
Anastasia Frederick moved closer, his presence overwhelming. The intensity of his gaze made me instinctively step back, raising my hands in a gesture of surrender. My lips quivered uncontrollably, and I struggled to suppress the tight knot forming in my throat. Facing Frederick’s anger was never something I had wanted, yet here I was. “Do you really think I’m that stupid?” he demanded, his frustration evident. “Seriously?”“I assure you, what I’m saying is true!” I pleaded, my voice shaking. I had no idea how those texts had been sent. I tried to hold my ground, sensing the depth of his hurt. “Please, listen to me!”“So, you were with him tonight?” Frederick’s anger flared as he leaned in closer, as if trying to catch a scent on my lips. His face contorted in disgust. “If you want Darius, then go ahead. I won’t stop you.” His words were laced with finality. “Just don’t come back.” He stormed out of my room, slamming the door so hard that the trim came loose and the door swung back op
Anastasia “Actually, upon further reflection, I might have an idea of who could be responsible,” she said. I watched her struggle with her hands, a behavior I’d never seen from her before.“Who?” I asked gently, as thunder rumbled ominously over the estate house, as if echoing my every word. The rain came in waves, creating a moment of calm followed by a deep rumble in the room. The silence between us was heavy, almost unbearable. It felt like this mistake might be beyond repair.“Perhaps only a handful of people might benefit from causing a rift between you and Frederick,” Victoria suggested. I knew Gray was one possibility, and maybe Darius was another, though he seemed just as confused as I was. “Oh, it looks like there’s just one left.”“Hey, Kayin?” I recalled the noises and the broken picture frame. It must have happened while I was in the shower. I had experienced a series of unsettling events that didn’t necessarily seem supernatural.“I saw her leaving your room last night,”
Anastasia I put the flashlight’s handle in my mouth and braced myself against the stone door, pushing with all my strength using my forearms. With some effort, the door finally budged, dragging a thin layer of mud with it as it opened. Inside the mausoleum, I found six plots and an entrance adorned with a three-dimensional star engraving—exactly as Anastasia had described.I took a moment to steady myself, feeling the squishy ground beneath my sneakers. I carefully swept the flashlight’s beam across the room. Small creatures scurried for cover, and the crickets’ chorus quieted as something shifted in the darkness. Six bodies lay in the mausoleum, mummified and wrapped in burlap. The sight was unsettling; they were not buried, but instead laid out in a way that felt oddly exposed. My hand trembled, making it difficult to keep the flashlight steady.Next to each body were footstones displaying names and dates once again.And there it was:Anastasia Gomez.I knelt beside her, feeling th
Anastasia "Why don't you?" I challenged, trying to provoke him. A sinister grin spread across his face, revealing teeth stained with blood. He strolled around the room with his hands casually tucked behind his back, clearly relishing the power he had over me and the control he wielded over my fate."But I'd prefer if you experienced some discomfort," he said, his tone cold and cruel. As he approached, I instinctively pressed myself against the wall, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. "I could tear that throat apart—your lovely mouth, so accustomed to me," he continued, leaning in and turning my face away. His fingers dug into my cheeks as he held me firmly.I shut my eyes, bracing myself. Our lips met, his kiss aggressive and unexpected. His tongue explored my mouth with a force that left me gasping. I reached up, placing my hands on his shoulders, summoning the last of my energy to try and push him away. My fingers gripped his exposed skin tightly, but his hand k
Anastasia I was utterly alone. No one knew where I was, and the oppressive silence of the tomb seemed to echo my solitude. The chilling realization set in, I might be joining them soon if I couldn’t find a way out....Hugo I hadn’t spotted my sister today. It seemed like she was buried under the covers, unwilling to face the chaos we were dealing with. Outside, the rain hammered against the windows in a relentless torrent. This storm was unlike anything we’d ever experienced—each flash of lightning seemed to pierce the sky, and the thunder rolled so loudly it felt like the world was shaking.The storm outside wasn’t just a backdrop; it felt almost like a reflection of the turmoil inside. With lightning, thunder, and even hail pelting against the glass, the storm seemed to drag on forever. My concern for Anastasia grew with every crash of thunder. I worried she might be caught in a distressing situation, but I tried to respect her need for space, considering the events of last night
Hugo“I haven’t seen Anastasia since the night Frederick left. It’s been a while,” Kayln tried to justify herself, but it was clear from the growing panic on her face that she was being cornered.“Well,” Victoria leaned in, crossing her arms with a knowing look. “I noticed you leaving her room around the same time I left her to take a shower. If she was in the shower, she wouldn’t have noticed you entering her room. That would have given you plenty of time to send those texts.”“Oops,” Victoria added with a touch of sarcasm.The room’s tension hit a breaking point. Frederick suddenly sprang from his seat, launching himself toward Kayln. The impact caused her to topple over along with the stool. Frederick’s powerful frame pinned her to the floor, his muscles pressing down hard, leaving her unable to move.“Frederick!” I exclaimed, my heart racing as I jumped off my stool. Frederick’s jaws snapped shut with a dangerous force, his hand tightening around Kayln’s throat. The sight of him t
Hugo“If Anastasia has that page, then it’s impossible to pinpoint her location,” I said, frustration seeping into my voice. “If she left after the library, she’s been gone for quite a while now. And with this freezing weather, if it weren’t for that wolf, the cold might have finished her off. The scent is probably long gone by now.” I shook my head, feeling a pang of guilt. “Do you think she made it back home? I should have been more vigilant.”“Victoria!” I raised my voice, sharper than I intended. Her chaotic, rapid speech was driving me to distraction. She halted, composed herself, and waved her hands, as if to smooth out the tension.“What book was she looking at?” Frederick gently placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her down. The fear in her eyes was evident. “Hey, Victoria, take a deep breath and relax. Which book did she come across?”Victoria led us back to the library. She pointed out that everything was as Anastasia had left it—books scattered on the table and
As Frederick closed in on Zion, his eyes burned with a fierce desire for revenge. The effects of the sickness still lingered, fueling his rage. “I’ll get you, you traitor!” Frederick roared, his voice echoing with anger.Zion, though fully aware of the gravity of the situation, fought not just for his own survival but for the peace they all desperately sought. “Anastasia only needs you, Frederick!” he pleaded. “Don’t let your anger destroy everything we’ve worked for!”Just as Frederick was about to strike, a voice cut through the chaos. “Hey, hold up!”Anastasia stepped between them, her eyes a mixture of sadness and resolve. “Frederick, come on!” she called out, her voice trembling with a blend of fear and determination. “We need to find another way.”But Frederick, driven by rage, didn’t even glance her way. His focus remained fixed on Zion, and he ignored her plea.Desperate to reach Frederick, Anastasia called out again. “Frederick, it’s me! It’s Anastasia!” Her voice was laced w
“She’s with Zion,” I said casually, watching his face change as fear and anger flashed across his features.“Who is Zion?” His confusion was clear, and I could see that talking about my sister was only making things worse. My hesitation to be completely honest had led us here, but I had to face the consequences.“Xandriel’s kid,” I explained. The fear in Frederick’s eyes was unmistakable. The gravity of the situation was sinking in.Frederick’s frustration flared again. “Are you serious?” he demanded, his voice rising. “Where are they?”“Hey, Frederick, let’s just hang tight,” I said, trying to calm him. “We’ve got a plan, and I’m confident it’s going to work. You’ve got to trust me on this one.” To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I believed myself, but Victor was our last hope. If this plan failed, it would be the end of the line.“I’m here to lend a hand and sort this out,” Frederick pleaded as I removed the final sensors from him, triggering the beeping monitors once more. Despite his
“You’re not feeling well,” I said nonchalantly, not even bothering to look at him. It was like fate had led us to this moment. It was wild to think we’d end up here, but it felt like it was meant to be.Frederick let out an exasperated sigh, clearly uncomfortable. “I’ve never been sick,” he said, sounding both frustrated and bewildered. The bed creaked as he shifted, and the sheets rustled around him.“Hey, there’s a first time for everything. Just chill,” I advised, watching as he struggled to sit up. To my surprise, he actually listened, though it was clear the pain was taking its toll. “You’re not the strongest, but that’s totally fine.”“I can’t be weak,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as he noticed the IV tubes snaking into his arms. The sight of him, once a formidable Warrior, now so vulnerable, was unsettling.I was still angry as he said, “You would either be this way or dead.” The room fell into a heavy silence as he stared at me, his expression one of confusi
When Darius mentioned dinner plans, Zion grabbed my arm and pulled me away, his urgency almost making me forget we were pretending. As we walked down the hallway, Darius called out, “This party is going to be one for the books!” I clung to Zion, gripping his wrists for support. My mind raced, trying to take in my surroundings in case things went wrong. Zion guided me into a bedroom and closed the door behind us, marking the end of what felt like an interminable journey.“Hugo,” I breathed, my anxiety spiking as I turned to face Zion. Hugo seemed like a real threat to our plans. “Nah, Zion, I just can’t—I really can’t.”Darius’s voice was reassuring as he said, “I won’t let him lay a finger on you, Anastasia. You just have to trust me.” He mentioned a dinner with friends to celebrate Victor, just as Zion had said. “Just gotta get through dinner, and our armies will be here.”I shook my head slightly, grabbing Zion by the shirt. “Can’t stop him. He’s a force to be reckoned with.” Hugo
“Oh, it’s for Frederick,” I said casually. His name stumbled awkwardly off my tongue. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I wished we could just be together as we should be—he was the only one I truly loved. We started this journey together. When Frederick wakes up, I’ll be gone, and I have no clue how he’ll handle that.Zion’s curiosity piqued, “How do you do this? Despite everything that’s happened, you still think it’ll get better?” He seemed to have his own scars, a hint of betrayal in his voice.“One day, there’s gotta be a light in the dark,” I replied, trying to stay hopeful. “I didn’t come all this way just to stop now.”Zion placed his hand over mine on the middle console, a casual gesture but one that held a lot of weight. “You good to go? Can you trust me?”“Yeah, I don’t,” I admitted. Looking back, trusting him seemed like my only option. Tomorrow could be a game-changer for Frederick. It’s funny—never thought I’d be the one to take down Winona. Many had tried before me an
“I’ve got a couple of things to mention,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “My aunt Margo gets away with it. Frederick keeps his distance. I don’t want him anywhere near them.” I gave a nod to indicate that was settled.“Yeah, I agree,” Zion said, casually crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. “He won’t be waking up for a few days. Diego has enough power to keep him out for a while. Can we wrap this up?” His casual demeanor masked the gravity of the situation as I paced back and forth in front of Nereus, discussing our sneaky plan.“I can work as quickly as you need me to, sweetheart,” Zion assured, though the term of endearment stung. I felt a pang of guilt for going behind Frederick’s back while he lay unconscious, the weight of my actions heavy on my conscience. “This is our only chance. If we mess this up, we’re all going to end up six feet under on that Winona farm. This is our one shot, so we’d better not blow it.”“So, what’s the game plan?” I asked, trying to f
Curiosity nudged me as I trailed behind Diego and the others. “Do you think he’ll remember anything he did while the wolf was in control?” I asked casually, my voice barely above a whisper.“No way,” Jamie replied. That was the answer I’d hoped for. The thought that he wouldn’t remember my lies or the sting of the needle brought a small, bitter relief. Still, the guilt gnawed at me for causing him pain. Cassius stayed close, a quiet presence as we watched Frederick being carried down the hallway.“You did the right thing,” Cassius said softly, as if sensing my turmoil. But something felt off. The pain of betrayal cut deep, a raw ache I had never experienced before. The treachery felt like a knife twisting inside me.“I wish it didn’t hurt so much,” I whispered, trying to shove the painful memory aside. Suddenly, Nereus burst back up the stairs, blocking our path.“Hey, Anastasia, you might want to come downstairs,” Nereus said, his voice tinged with unease. I shot a look at Cassius, w
Eventually, footsteps roused me from my restless sleep, guiding me to the other side of the bedroom door. When Frederick walked in, I let out a sigh of relief. The deep concern I felt for him was overwhelming, and I could barely stand it."I swung by Diego's office first, but you weren’t there," Frederick said casually, loosening his tie. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the nagging thought of that ring sitting untouched in the desk drawer."I'm feeling much better," I said, forcing a smile. If he’d been paying attention, he’d have seen through the lie."I noticed that," he remarked, unbuttoning his shirt with a relaxed air. I shifted restlessly on the bed, trying to play it cool and hoping he wouldn’t catch on."Where have you been?" Frederick chuckled as if it was the most ridiculous question. "I got a bit concerned when you weren’t around when I woke up.""I left Rollo to take care of you," I said, watching as he turned away. He placed his rings on the desk and reached for two ne
I tread carefully, trying to avoid rushing and risk encountering more trouble at the cellar stairs. The silence around me was eerie, and I kept my eyes sharp, scanning for any sign of danger. My mind flitted to the idea of calling my dad, but I hesitated. I didn’t want him dragged into this mess, fearing he might try to drag me back home. Maybe it was pride, or maybe it was the fear of his interference.Then there was Estelle. I thought about her growing up, reaching her prime, and hoped she’d never have to rely on her body like I had. It was comforting, though, to see her following in her father’s footsteps in her own way, even if it wasn’t ideal."Anastasia?" I heard Nereus’s faint voice. I picked up the pace, jogging towards the sound. As I rounded the corner, I saw the boys restrained in separate corners, but Nereus was the only one awake."Nereus?" I knelt beside him and quickly worked on untying the ropes burning his wrists. They smelled strongly of wolfsbane. "What did those pe