Chapter Twenty-Six: Shadows and Lies

Elena stood rooted in place, her heartbeat loud in her ears. I'm not who you think I am. Leon's words hung in the air, wrapping around her like a ghostly whisper.

She swallowed hard, keeping her expression neutral. "Then tell me. Who are you?"

Leon studied her, his thumb running absently over the silver object in his hand. For a moment, she thought he might actually answer.

Then, he sighed. "It's better if you don't know."

Anger flared in her chest. She had been dragged away from her only lead, locked in this house with him, and now he wanted to keep her in the dark?

"No," she said firmly. "You don't get to make that choice for me."

Leon's gaze flickered, as if he wasn't used to people talking back to him.

Good.

She took a slow step forward. "You keep warning me. You keep saying I'm in danger. But from what? From you?"

Leon went still.

And that silence—that silence was worse than any confirmation.

Elena's breath hitched.

He wasn't denying it.

A Calculated Escape

She couldn't stay here.

Whatever secrets Leon was keeping, whatever he was—she needed to get away.

But she couldn't be reckless. Not with him watching her every move.

So she did the only thing she could.

She played along.

Elena forced herself to relax, letting out a slow breath. "Fine," she murmured. "Maybe I don't need all the answers right now."

Leon arched an eyebrow, skeptical.

"I just want to rest," she added, turning away before he could scrutinize her too closely. "It's been a long night."

A pause.

Then, finally, Leon nodded. "I'll bring you to your room."

She followed him up a winding staircase, every step calculated. Memorizing the layout. Noting possible exits.

The room he led her to was surprisingly normal—a bed, a window, a small desk.

Elena turned toward him, forcing her expression into something soft, something unsuspicious.

"Thank you," she murmured.

Leon hesitated for just a second.

Then, he closed the door behind him.

She waited until his footsteps faded down the hall.

Then, she moved.

Her hands flew to the window latch. Locked.

She bit her lip, scanning the room. There had to be another way out.

She wasn't going to be a captive.

Not tonight.