Chapter 5: The Invisible Opponent

Tension permeated the journey back to Lucas's estate, the quiet between them like a strained rope almost about to break. Aria gazed out the window, the vehicle whirling over the streets as the city lights erupted into one continuous line. Her head whirled with images of Viktor Pierce, the unnerving sensation of his eyes still hovering over her flesh. Not for a moment, she didn't trust him; Lucas's response made it very evident she shouldn't.

Aria could feel the questions boiling within her as they drew up to the mansion, but she wasn't sure whether Lucas would provide her any actual answers. His cryptic warning about Viktor told her enough to let her know about the risks hiding just beneath the surface of Lucas's life.

Lucas got out of the vehicle silently, his body tense with barely shown irritation. Aria followed him inside the house, her feet light and uncertain. She wasn't sure whether she should ask him additional questions or let it go entirely.

But Lucas's voice sliced low and piercing through the hush as they arrived at the great entryway. I advised you to avoid him.

Aria stopped, her gaze narrowed as she turned to meet him. "I never looked for him, Lucas. He visited me. What was I meant to do? Retrace your steps and seem dubious?

Lucas's eyes flicked with displeasure as his jaw tightened. Aria, you are handling fire here. You want someone else to be engaged with, not Viktor. He may be dangerous and manipulative. Should he believe it would provide him an advantage, he will use you to get at me.

Aria crossed her arms to help her to control her breath. "I asked Lucas not for any of this. I asked not to be pulled into your world or into your conflicts. I am here right now, however, and I need to know what I am handling. If you want me to avoid Viktor, OK; however, you need to explain why Viktor is so harmful.

Lucas's look softened momentarily, but it was gone just as fast. He groaned and ran a hand over his hair. "History exists between Viktor and myself. Once friends, that relationship broke when he sought to seize control of my business via unscrupulous methods. He is merciless and not gives a damn about who suffers throughout the process. Though that's a disguise, you witnessed how charming he could be. Benevolent under it is a snake.

Aria gasped hard, Lucas's words sinking over her. She knew Viktor was more than just what first greeted the sight, but hearing Lucas validate it made the risk seem all too real.

Quietly, her head whirling, she questioned, "Why would he be interested in me? I am not someone he knows.

The color of Lucas's eyes deepened. Your spouse is me. That covers everything he need to know. Connecting you to me has made you a target.

Her truth came to her like a chilly wave, shivering down her back. Desperate and needing to get away from the hurt of Damien's rejection, she had accepted to this marriage. She was starting to realize, however, that her new existence with Lucas included hazards she was not ready for.

"I can't pretend everything is fine, Lucas," Aria murmured, her voice quivering just slightly. "I must understand what is happening if I am in danger. I cannot just remain in the dark about your adversaries or about the stakes involved here.

Lucas moved forward, his hand reaching out to lightly grab her arm. His touch was strong but not harsh. "I'll guard you, Aria." That is part of our setup. You should not know, nevertheless, certain facts that would just increase your vulnerability. On this, you can trust me.

Aria fixed his eyes, looking for any trace of dishonesty. Though his face was a mask of control, she could see the strain in his jaw and the way his shoulders stayed stiff even as he quietly addressed her. She realized she had few choices but was unsure if she trusted him entirely.

"Okay," she said in a whisper. "I'll keep away from Viktor."

Lucas nodded, glad for her answer. "Good.."

They stood in the calm of the vast entryway for a minute, the tension between them gradually releasing. But Aria's chest still harbored dread that persisted. If anything, it strengthened. She felt as if she was on the brink of something perilous, something that, without caution may devour entire.

Aria awakened early the next day, the gala still vivid in her memory. She couldn't get rid of the sensation that she was missing some essential piece of information explaining Viktor's intense curiosity in her.

Aria wasn't sure, Lucas had said it was only because she was his wife. There was another, more profound thing. She also had to learn if she was going to live on this planet.

Aria chose to see more of the estate after breakfast. Still hovering in the rear of her consciousness, the west wing remained a mystery Lucas had specifically advised her to avoid. But by the day her interest was becoming more intense.

Admiring the artwork and the costly furniture, she meandered around the vast hallways of the estate. From the shining chandeliers to the polished marble flooring, Lucas's house was painstakingly kept. Though it was far from the little lodges of the Moonstone pack, it seemed as frigid and lonely.

Aria's heart started racing as she got toward the west wing. Her unusual sensation of dread swept over her as the big wooden doors separating the wing from the rest of the house closed. Lucas had advised her not to visit, but what damage would it do to quickly check?

She waited just long enough to grab the door doorknob. Under her fingertips the wood felt chilly, and she gently turned the knob half-expecting the door to be locked. It wasn't, however. It creaked softly at first, then showed her a darkly lighted hall.

Aria entered and her footfall gently echoed on the stone floor. Here the air was different—thicker, almost oppressive. Closed doors lined the corridor, and a faint musty scent permeated the space as if this area of the home hadn't been utilized in years.

Her pulse pounding in her chest, she moved gently past door after door. Lucas was concealing what here? Why had he been so determined she remain away?

She arrived to a big, elaborate door slightly open at the end of the corridor. Through the breach, light poured tiny lines over the floor. Aria paused, her fingers floating over the door. She ought not to be here. Should he learn, Lucas would be enraged.

She could not, however, turn back now. Her breath seized in her throat as she softly pushed the door open and entered.

The room was big and lined with book shelves while papers were strewn across a broad table in the middle. She was drawn, nevertheless, by the wall at the far end of the space.

Photographs, maps, and records covered it, all linked by delicate crimson threads straying over the surface like a spider's web. Aria's eyes became wide at the scene. She couldn't make sense of it even though it seemed like something from a criminal investigation.

She moved nearer, her eyes glancing over the pictures. Lucas was among several; others were males she did not know. Her heart stopped immediately, however, as she saw a photograph of her, tacked to the wall amid the others, a red rope linking her to Lucas's image.

Her tummy turned over, and she staggered back as her thoughts flew. Why was her photo among them? What does it imply?

The sound of feet reverberated in the corridor behind her before she could absorb any of it. Anxiety shot through her blood. She spun rapidly toward the door, but it was too late.

Lucas stood in the doorway, his face expressionless as he fixed her.

"What are you doing here? " His voice was low and shockingly calm.

Aria battled to find the words as her heart hammered in her chest. She had been caught and knew she had no explanation for herself.