The Confrontation

Lucian's grip tightens around my wrist, his golden eyes burning into mine with barely restrained fury.

"You're going to tell me what the hell you're doing sneaking around at night," he growls, his voice low, dangerous. "And you're going to do it now."

I grit my teeth, yanking against his hold, but his strength is unrelenting. He's always been stronger than me. Faster. And right now, I can see it in his face—he's done playing games.

"I don't have to tell you anything," I bite out, my voice sharp despite the panic rising in my chest.

Lucian exhales sharply, his grip tightening just enough to make his point. "Marcus is watching you. You think you're being careful, but you're not. You think I don't see you slipping out night after night?" His voice darkens. "I know you, Aria. And I know when you're lying."

I stay silent, my mind racing for a way out of this. I can't let him drag me to Marcus. I can't let this spiral any further.

Lucian watches me for a beat longer before suddenly shoving me back against the stone wall. Not enough to hurt—but enough to show me exactly how serious he is. My breath hitches, not from fear, but from the sheer weight of the tension crackling between us.

"You reek of human," he murmurs, his eyes narrowing. "Who is he?"

I go completely still.

Lucian notices. His lips curl into something that isn't quite a smile. "There it is."

I swallow hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "There's no one."

He laughs, but there's no humor in it.

"You're a terrible liar." His voice drops, almost soft. "Who is he, Aria?"

A hundred different responses run through my mind. I could deny it again. I could lash out. I could run. But none of them would work. Not against Lucian.

So I do the only thing I can.

I stay silent.

Lucian watches me for a long moment, not speaking. Then, suddenly, he releases me.

I don't move. I don't breathe.

"Fine," he mutters, stepping back. "You won't tell me now? That's fine. I'll find out myself."

Panic surges through me. No.

I lunge before I can think better of it, grabbing his arm. "Lucian, don't."

He looks down at my hand, then back up at me, something sharp behind his gaze. "Don't what?"

"Don't go looking for him." My voice is softer now, almost desperate. "Please."

Lucian tilts his head, considering me. Then, something shifts in his expression. Something dangerous.

"You care about him."

My throat tightens. "It's not—"

"I knew it," Lucian breathes, more to himself than to me. "I knew you were hiding something, but this?" His voice turns sharp. "Do you have any idea what Marcus will do if he finds out?"

I do. I know exactly what will happen.

Lucian shakes his head, stepping closer again. "Tell me the truth, Aria. Right now. How deep does this go?"

I press my lips together, my nails biting into my palms. I can't tell him. I won't tell him.

Lucian exhales sharply, his frustration evident. Then, he leans in, his voice dropping to something low and lethal. "If you don't stop this, I will."

He turns sharply, vanishing into the corridor before I can say another word.

I exhale shakily, pressing a hand against the cold wall to steady myself. This is bad. This is so bad.

Lucian isn't just suspicious anymore. He's certain.

And worse? He's going to start hunting for Liam.

...

I don't sleep.

The weight of everything crashes down on me all at once. Liam, Lucian, Marcus. The compulsion I used on Liam—how it slipped from me like instinct. Like second nature. What else don't I know about myself?

By the time the first light of dawn creeps through my window, I make my decision.

I need to see Liam. I need to warn him.

One last time.

...

The village is still waking when I slip past its borders, keeping to the trees. I don't go to the river this time. I go to where I know he'll be.

Liam's small inn sits on the far side of town, quiet and unassuming. I hesitate outside, my fingers curling into fists. What am I doing? This is reckless. This is dangerous.

But I knock anyway.

A moment later, the door creaks open. Liam stands there, his hair tousled, his eyes still heavy with sleep. He blinks at me once, then again, like he isn't sure I'm real.

"Aria?" His voice is rough, low from sleep. "What are you—?"

I push past him into the room, shutting the door behind me. "I don't have much time."

Liam turns, frowning. "Are you okay?"

I exhale shakily. "No."

That wakes him up completely. His brows knit together as he steps toward me. "What happened?"

I look up at him, at the concern in his eyes. And for a moment, I want to tell him everything. I want him to know.

But I can't.

Instead, I say, "You need to leave."

Liam stills. "What?"

I swallow hard. "You have to go. Leave the village. Tonight."

Liam's jaw tightens. "Why?"

"I can't—" My voice catches. I shake my head. "Please, Liam. Just listen to me."

He doesn't move. His gaze searches mine, looking for the answers I can't give. Then, his expression hardens.

"This is about last night, isn't it?"

I freeze.

Liam takes another step forward, his voice low. "I don't know how, but you made me forget, didn't you?"

My pulse spikes. No.

"I've been trying to piece things together all morning," he continues, his eyes burning into mine. "There's something missing. I remember following you. I remember seeing—" He stops, exhaling sharply. "And then, nothing."

He knows. He knows.

I do the only thing I can.

I turn for the door.

But Liam grabs my wrist before I can move. His grip isn't rough, but it's firm. Unyielding. "No more running, Aria."

I swallow hard, my body frozen in place. His touch is warm, grounding, pulling me back from the edge of panic. "Liam..."

His voice is quiet, but steady. "Tell me the truth."

My breath shudders out of me.

I look up into his eyes, and for the first time, I think about what it would feel like to stop lying.

To stop running.

But before I can say a word, something slams into the door from the outside.

The wood groans beneath the impact, rattling on its hinges. Liam tenses, his hand tightening on mine.

My blood runs cold.

Lucian. He found me.

The door explodes inward.

Liam moves instantly, shoving me behind him as a figure steps through the wreckage.

Lucian's golden eyes lock onto me, sharp and unforgiving.

And then, his voice—low, deadly.

"You really thought I wouldn't find you?"