The Masked Threat

The night was eerily silent. The constant hum of the estate's security team patrolling the grounds could be heard, but inside Arya's room, it was suffocating. She could not sleep. Every creak in the wooden floors, every whisper of wind against the glass sent a jolt through her body.

The note. The shadow outside her room. The security footage of the masked figure.

Who was after her?

Her fingers curled into the bed sheet as she slowly exhaled. She couldn't live like this—constantly waiting for something to happen.

A knock on the door made her sit up, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

"Arya, it's me."

Veer.

She breathed a sigh of relief and got up quickly, opening the door. Veer stood there, dressed in his usual dark attire, his face unreadable.

"What's wrong?" she asked, stepping aside so he could enter.

"I need you to stay in my room tonight."

Arya blinked. "What?"

Veer closed the door behind him. "We found something near the west gate. A break in the fence. It's small, but someone could have squeezed through."

Arya swallowed hard. "You think they got in again?"

"I can't take that risk."

His tone left no room for argument.

She hesitated. "Veer, I can't just—"

"You can, and you will," he cut in. "Until we know precisely who is after you, you are not staying alone."

Arya looked at him. There was nothing to be said. She knew he would not yield.

"Fine," she pouted.

Veer nodded and guided her towards his bedroom.

Veer's bedroom was just as she had expected: minimalistic and dark, with little personal touch. A large bed sat in the center, covered in crisp black sheets, and a single lamp illuminated the space with a dim golden glow.

Arya hesitated in the doorway. "So… where am I sleeping?"

Veer arched a brow. "Where do you think?"

Her eyes widened. "Absolutely not."

He sighed. "Arya, it's just a bed."

"No, it's your bed.

"And I trust myself more than any of the guards here."

She hesitated. There was no denying that she felt safer with him. But sharing a bed?

Veer seemed to sense her hesitation. "I'll stay on my side."

Arya crossed her arms. "And if you don't?"

A smirk tugged at his lips. "Then you'll push me off."

She sighed in exasperation. "Fine."

It felt odd lying in Veer's bed. The mattress was firm, the scent of his cologne lingering on the sheets.

She rolled onto her side, facing away from him. "If I wake up and find you closer than you should be, I'm kicking you."

Veer chuckled, his voice low in the dim room. "Noted."

Silence settled between them, but Arya's mind refused to quiet down.

After a while, she whispered, "Do you think they'll come back?"

Veer didn't answer right away. Then, softly, "Yes."

A chill ran down her spine. "Why me, Veer?"

A sigh. "Because they know you mean something to me."

Arya's breath caught in her throat. She turned slightly, watching his silhouette in the darkness. "I do?"

Veer didn't move. "Get some sleep, Arya."

She wanted to push for more, but something in his tone stopped her.

She shut her eyes and pretended not to feel the warmth of his presence beside her.

Hours passed by, and then Arya jolted open her eyes. Something was amiss.

The room was still, but there was an acute awareness prickling at the nape of her neck.

She slowly turned her head-and froze.

A figure stood near the window.

Veer moved before Arya could react. In a flash, he was up, his body blocking her view.

Who are you?" Veer's voice was quietly menacing.

The intruder did not answer. He wore a black hoodie; his face was hidden behind a mask.

Arya's heart was pounding.

Veer took a slow step forward. "If you run, I'll catch you."

The masked figure tilted their head slightly, as if thinking about his words. Then, in an instant, they spun and ran towards the balcony.

Veer leapt.

Arya hardly had time to register what was happening before the two figures crashed. The room broke into chaos - sounds of struggle, grunting efforts, the sharp thud of fists into flesh.

The intruder wriggled free, trying to get away, but Veer was quicker. He pulled them by the collar, pulling them back, and the masked figure slipped from his grasp and sprang onto the balcony railing.

Without pause, they leapt.

"No!" Arya rushed forward, reaching the edge just in time to see them disappear into the shadows below.

Veer cursed under his breath.

Security guards burst into the room moments later. "Sir, what happened?"

Veer's jaw was clenched. "They got away."

Arya hugged her arms, still shaken. "They were in here, Veer."

He turned to her, eyes dark with fury. "I know."

One of the guards spoke. "We'll check the perimeter."

Veer nodded sharply. "Find them."

As the guards rushed out, Arya sat on the edge of the bed, trying to steady her breathing.

Veer crouched in front of her. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head. "No, but… what if they come back?"

Veer exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "They won't get that close again."

Arya searched his face. "You don't know that."

His fingers curled into fists. "I'll make sure of it.

The intensity in his voice sent a shiver down her spine.

For the first time, Arya realized something.

Whoever was after her had just made a mistake.

They had crossed a line.

And Veer Carson was not the kind of man to let that go unpunished.