Chapter 19
Luna
“Uh … I mean … the … your workers, and the clan members, of course,” I said, clearing my throat.
“Okay. I’ll be back soon. I promise,” Orion said, as he gave me a kiss on the forehead and left.
Oh Luna … that was close,I thought.
“Orion’s been gone for hours,” I muttered, pacing around the room, glancing at the clock every few minutes. “He thought leaving me here with all these guards would make me feel safer, but I’m just sitting here, doing nothing.”
I crossed my arms and sighed, staring out the window. “How is this supposed to help? I can’t just sit here while he’s out there, risking his life. I need something—anything—to keep my mind off of it.”
I glanced over at the stack of books in the corner. “Maybe I’ll just read. Yeah, that’ll work. Keep my mind busy.”
I grabbed a book from the shelf and flopped onto the couch, flipping through the pages. But after a few minutes, I slammed it shut and sighed again. “Who am I kidding? I can’t concentrate on this.”
My eyes wandered to the door.
“I should be out there, helping him. Not stuck in this mansion, pacing like a caged animal.”
A noise echoed through the hallway. A strange, muffled sound, that didn’t belong. I lifted my head, listening. It was faint, but there was something … off. My heart quickened as I set the book down and stood, straining to hear.
“What was that?” I muttered to myself, walking toward the door.
“Why is it so quiet? Too quiet.” I glanced around nervously.
I could hear the occasional shuffle of a guard somewhere far off, but that noise I heard earlier—it wasn’t normal. My gut told me that.
“Maybe I’m overthinking it,” I whispered to myself, but even as I said it, I reached for the door. “Or maybe not.”
Against my better judgment, I opened the door and stepped into the hallway. “Alright, Luna, just check it out. It’s probably nothing.”
But as I moved further down the hall, that feeling of dread crept up my spine. “This ... this isn’t right. Something’s wrong,” I muttered, pulling out my phone to call Orion.
I held my breath as it rang, willing him to pick up. “Come on, Orion, please. Answer.”
It rang and rang, and then, silence. “No. No, no, no. Why now?” I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Come on, pick up," I whispered anxiously, my voice shaking. Still nothing.
I froze in place. “What was that?” A crash echoed from downstairs, followed by hushed voices. My heart pounded in my chest. “No. No, this can’t be happening.”
I instinctively turned to rush back to the study. “I need to get out of here—” But before I could reach the door, a cold hand gripped my wrist.
I gasped, my breath catching in my throat. “What the—” I tried to pull away, but the grip tightened.
“Who ... who are you?” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper, dread creeping into every part of me.
“Going somewhere, Luna?” a familiar voice sneered, sending a chill down my spine.
There he was. “Marcosias.” His name slipped from my lips, my breath stuck in my throat. He stood there, smirking, his eyes gleaming with malicious delight.
“Oh God, no,” I murmured, my body tensing, as I took in the sight of his men behind him, all dressed in dark clothing. Their eyes were cold, hard, and devoid of any mercy.
I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “What ... what do you want?” I demanded, trying to steady my voice, even though fear gripped me.
He chuckled darkly, taking a step forward. “What do you think, Luna?”