CHAPTER 014

The morning air was thick with unease. The estate, usually quiet at this hour, buzzed with murmurs and quickened footsteps. I barely had time to shake off the restless sleep when a sudden knock rattled my door.

Something was wrong.

I pulled the blanket tighter around me. "Who is it?"

No answer. Just silence.

A cold feeling slithered down my spine. Slowly, I swung my legs over the bed and stepped towards the door, hesitating before reaching for the handle. But before I could touch it, I saw it.

The bloody handprint smeared across the wood.

A scream caught in my throat. My breath came in sharp, panicked bursts. I stumbled back, my legs hitting the edge of my bed. My mind raced—whose blood was it? What did this mean? I wasn't stupid enough to believe it was random. It was a message. A warning.

Ryan's voice carried from down the hall. "What the hell is going on?"

I heard rushed footsteps, then the door burst open without warning. Ryan stood there, shirt half-buttoned, his hair a mess. His eyes flicked from me to the bloodied door.

"What the hell?" He stopped himself, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Who did this?"

I shook my head, unable to form words. My chest tightened. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, but where? This was supposed to be my safe place, and now it felt like a prison.

Ryan turned sharply, shouting down the hall. "Lucas! Get over here. Now!"

Within seconds, Lucas appeared in the doorway, his face unreadable. His gaze locked onto the bloodstain, then shifted to me. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming the space.

"You're bleeding?" His voice was low, controlled, but his eyes were anything but calm.

I swallowed hard. "No. It's not mine."

His jaw tightened. He exhaled slowly, then turned to Ryan. "Where were you last night?"

Ryan scoffed. "Are you kidding me? You think I had something to do with this?" He raised his hands. "I was thoroughly intoxicated downstairs." Ask anyone."

Lucas didn't look convinced. His fists clenched at his sides, his whole body coiled with tension.

"Then who?" His voice was sharp, demanding.

Ryan took a step closer, his breath heavy with alcohol. "That's what we should be asking you. You're the one dragging Eva into all this. If there's a threat, it's because of you."

Lucas didn't flinch. His expression remained unwavering, yet the air between them crackled with energy.

I tried to steady my breath, but it was impossible with both of them radiating hostility. "Stop. Both of you need to stop. This isn't helping."

Neither of them moved.

Then Ryan's gaze darkened as he turned back to me. "You belong to me. Not him. I am the only one who is affected. Me."

Something inside me snapped. I took a step back, disgust twisting my stomach. "I don't belong to anyone."

His grip was on me before I could move further. His fingers dug into my wrist, his touch burning with possession. "You forget our engagement? You think Lucas can just take what's mine?"

"Let go," I said, my voice shaking.

Ryan smirked. "Make me."

I opened my mouth to scream, but Lucas was faster. In an instant, he grabbed Ryan by the collar and slammed him against the wall so hard that the entire room seemed to shake.

Ryan coughed, gasping for air. "What the—"

Lucas's voice was a deadly whisper. "Touch her again, and I'll kill you."

Ryan laughed, a hollow sound filled with bitterness. "You really think you can protect her from this?" His gaze flicked toward me. "Whoever left that mark hasn't finished yet." And trust me, princess, Lucas won't always be there to save you."

A chill spread through me.

Lucas shoved him away with one last glare, then turned to me. "Come with me."

I hesitated. However, a glance at Ryan's self-satisfied expression solidified my decision. I followed Lucas out of the room, leaving Ryan cursing behind us.

As we walked down the dim hallway, I felt eyes on me. The hair on the back of my neck began to rise. I turned my head slightly, my breath hitching when I saw it.

A shadow. No—eyes. From the end of the hallway, glowing, piercing yellow eyes were watching over everything.

I froze. "Lucas—"

He followed my gaze, his entire body tensing. "Go to my room. Now."

"But—"

"Now, Eva."

His tone left no room for argument. I ran.

As I reached his door, a crash sounded behind me. My heart slammed against my ribs. I turned just in time to see Lucas charge down the hallway—toward whatever was waiting in the dark.

And then, the lights went out.

Darkness swallowed the estate.

A scream rang out from somewhere far away.

My blood ran cold.

What the hell was happening?!