A Shadow in the Dark

Arya paced restlessly in her bedroom at Veer estate, replaying Tara's words over and over in her mind.

"You might want to reconsider."

"Veer can't always be there."

"Accidents happen."

She shivered. There was no doubt in her mind that Tara Bowman meant every single word.

A soft knock at the door made her jump.

"Arya?" Rohan's voice came from the other side.

She exhaled and pulled the door open. "Hey."

Rohan stepped in, his brows furrowed. "I heard what happened. Veer told me."

Arya sighed, crossing her arms. "I knew Tara wouldn't take this lying down, but I didn't expect her to call me directly."

Rohan leaned against the dresser, arms crossed. "Tara doesn't make empty threats. You should be careful."

Arya scoffed. "That's reassuring."

"I mean it, Arya." His tone was serious now. "She's not just some jealous woman. She's dangerous."

Arya met his gaze. "Then why isn't Veer doing more? He says he's protecting me, but how long before Tara makes a move?"

Rohan hesitated. "Veer is handling it in his own way. But he's not invincible."

Arya frowned. "What are you saying?"

Rohan let out a slow breath. "I'm saying Veer has enemies, Arya. More than just Tara. The moment he announced his engagement to you, you became a target. Not just for her—but for anyone who wants to hurt him."

A chill ran down Arya's spine. "Great. So I've basically put a giant target on my back."

Rohan gave her a small, sympathetic smile. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you."

Arya appreciated the sentiment, but deep down, she knew Rohan wasn't the one who could protect her.

That job belonged to Veer.

Later that night, Arya couldn't sleep. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the moonlight spilling through the window.

Something didn't feel right.

A strange tension hung in the air—an eerie stillness that made her skin prickle.

Suddenly, a soft noise came from outside her balcony. A rustling sound, barely audible.

Arya's breath hitched.

She slowly stood up, heart pounding. Was she imagining it?

She moved toward the glass doors, her fingers trembling as she pulled back the curtain.

Her blood ran cold.

A shadow moved across the balcony.

Someone was out there.

Panic surged through her veins. She took a step back, but the moment she did, the balcony door handle twisted.

Arya's mind screamed at her to run, but her body was frozen.

The door creaked open.

A tall figure stepped inside, their face obscured by darkness.

Arya opened her mouth to scream, but before she could, a strong hand clamped over her lips.

"Shhh."

The voice was deep, calm. Familiar.

Arya's entire body sagged in relief.

"Veer?"

The hand lifted, and the moonlight revealed his face.

Veer Carson stood before her, his sharp eyes scanning the room. His expression was unreadable, but there was a tension in his jaw.

"What are you doing here?" Arya whispered, her heart still racing.

Veer shut the balcony door behind him, locking it. "Someone was watching your room."

Arya stiffened. "What?"

"I saw movement outside the estate. Whoever it was disappeared before I could get to them." His voice was clipped, controlled—but there was an edge to it.

A dangerous edge.

Arya swallowed hard. "Do you think it was Tara?"

Veer hesitated, then shook his head. "No. This was someone else."

Fear tightened around Arya's chest. "So I have more than one enemy now?"

Veer's gaze softened for a brief moment. "You're not alone in this, Arya."

She bit her lip. "Then what do we do?"

"We tighten security," he said firmly. "And from now on, you don't go anywhere without me or Rohan."

Arya frowned. "That sounds… suffocating."

Veer's expression darkened. "Would you rather be dead?"

The bluntness of his words made her flinch.

She wanted to argue, to tell him she could handle herself. But deep down, she knew he was right.

Someone was after her.

And they weren't going to stop.

The next morning, Veer estate was buzzing with tension. Security guards were stationed at every entrance. The normally peaceful estate now felt like a fortress.

Arya sat in the dining hall, pushing her breakfast around her plate.

Veer sat across from her, reading something on his phone. His face was unreadable, but Arya could tell he was deep in thought.

Finally, she spoke. "Any updates on who was outside my room last night?"

Veer didn't look up. "No."

Arya frowned. "That's not reassuring."

Veer exhaled, setting his phone down. "Whoever it was, they were careful. No cameras caught their face. No footprints. No clues."

Arya's stomach twisted. "So we have no idea who's after me."

Veer's jaw clenched. "Not yet. But we will."

Arya watched him, noting the tension in his shoulders. He was holding something back.

"What aren't you telling me?" she asked quietly.

Veer hesitated. Then, finally, he met her gaze.

"There was a note."

Arya's heart skipped a beat. "A note?"

Veer reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. He placed it on the table in front of her.

Arya hesitated before picking it up.

Her hands trembled as she read the words:

"The engagement won't save her. She belongs to us now."

A chill ran down her spine.

Arya's breath hitched. "This isn't Tara."

"No," Veer agreed. "It's someone else."

Arya clenched the note in her fist. "Who?"

Veer's expression was unreadable. "That's what we need to find out."

For the first time, Arya truly understood—this wasn't just about Tara Bowman anymore.

Something much bigger was at play.

And she was caught in the middle of it.