Chapter 20: The Chase Begins

I wake up in a cold, empty room. The first thing I see is Xavier standing in front of me. My dad is next to him. Vince too.

I blink, disoriented. "What's going on? Where am I?"

Vince steps forward, his voice soft but strained. "Shay, please… don't cause any more trouble. Xavier has agreed—as long as you behave, he'll let you out."

I stare at him. Then I look at my dad.

"So I've been missing for fifteen years, and you let him do this to me?" My voice cracks with disbelief. "I'm in two minds to run away and never see you again if this is how you treat people."

Dad sighs. "Shay—"

"No," I cut him off. "I didn't do anything wrong."

I turn to Xavier, locking eyes with him.

"All I did was listen to the only person who told me the truth."

He walks toward me, calm and cold, crouching in front of me so we're eye level.

"You could've just asked," he says, voice low. "But no. Instead, you decided to act stupid and treat me like a fool."

"Maybe," I say, voice shaking, "you should've just told me. Sure, I wouldn't have died for you—but who knows? Maybe I would've still stayed. I liked you."

His expression flickers. I look down, then back up at him.

"A lot."

He narrows his eyes. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Ask the demon," I say.

He glances at my dad. My dad gives a slow nod. "She's telling the truth."

"Of course I am," I mutter.

Xavier studies me for a moment. I can't tell what he's thinking. I speak again, quieter this time.

"You saved me, Xavier. And I thought you liked me. But it turns out… you don't. You just want power."

"You know nothing," he snaps, rising to his feet.

He turns toward the door. "I'll bring you some blankets in a bit."

"You can't leave me here," I whisper, panic creeping into my voice.

He pauses. "Yes, actually. I can."

Then all three of them walk out. The door shuts behind them.

I crumble. The tears come fast.

"Please," I whisper to no one. "I don't like being alone."

Another door closes in the distance.

And I'm alone again.

After what feels like hours, the door creaks open again. Xavier steps in, a blanket folded in his arms.

I'm curled up in the corner of the cold room, my back pressed to the wall, knees to my chest. I don't look at him.

"Shay," he says softly. "Come here."

I don't move. I barely even blink.

He walks over, lets out a quiet sigh, and sits beside me. He gently drapes the blanket over my shoulders.

I speak, barely above a whisper. "Why do you want to break me? What did I do to deserve this?" My voice trembles. "All I wanted was the truth. And when I tried to ask you—or Dad—you both shut me out."

He's silent for a moment before saying, "Shay, you won't be down here for long."

"I'm scared of the dark," I say, eyes still fixed on the floor. "And I don't like being alone. You're horrible, Xavier. They say death is neither kind nor cruel… but you? You're mean. You're only nice when it suits you."

I pause, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Damien was a friend. I felt safe with him. But with you… I feel sick. Disgusting. I didn't at first. I liked being around you."

I finally look at him. And I see it—sadness in his eyes. Real, deep sadness.

"I didn't want to add to your stress," he says quietly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the truth. I thought nearly being eaten… then being reunited with your parents… was already too much."

He pauses, then adds, "Damien is a good person, but—"

"No buts, Xavier," I cut in. "He saved me. Even though I barely know him… apart from you, he's the only person I felt truly safe with."

I shift, voice growing shakier. "And even now… some part of me still feels safe with you. But another part?" I glance away. "It's screaming at me to run for the hills and never look back."

And he nods.

"I understand. I honestly do."

He looks at me for a moment longer, then says softly,

"I'll stay with you tonight."

I nod, barely whispering,

"Will you tell me a story?"

A faint smile tugs at his lips. "Sure."

He sits beside me, wrapping his arms around me gently, like he's afraid I might disappear if he lets go. His voice is low as he begins:

"Once upon a time, there was a young boy. He was happy once—he had his friends, laughter, the kind of joy that feels endless. One night, while playing in the meadows, he saw a woman struggling and rushed to help her. She seemed frail, lost. As he walked her home, he saw a beautiful rose in her garden. He didn't think—he picked it.

He didn't know she was watching.

Years passed. His friends began to die, one by one. Every time, there was a rose left by their bodies. He knew... it was the woman. But he couldn't stop her. He tried to be kind, to be good. But kindness wasn't enough. Death clung to him like a shadow.

When he grew older, he met another young man—someone who promised to protect him from the witch. And the boy accepted, even knowing there'd be a cost.

But the truth was, there was still something missing. Something that even his new protector couldn't give him.

Love."

He pauses, and I lift my eyes to meet his.

"All he ever wanted," Xavier continues, "was to help people. But time made him cold. Distant."

I rest my head against his shoulder, his warmth grounding me even as sleep starts to pull me under.

"Just for tonight," I whisper, "please stay out of my head."

When I wake up, he's asleep.

The door is open.

I stare at him.

Part of me wants to bolt.

To run until my legs give out.

But the other part—the stupid, soft part—

doesn't want to leave him at all.

Then I hear voices.

Distant but clear.

My dad:

"Xavier, you can't force this on her."

I glance back at Xavier, still beside me.

Still peaceful.

Still him.

I reach out—

but before my fingers can even graze him,

he vanishes.

Gone.

Just like always.

I scoff, bitter and tired.

Figures.

I push to my feet, step out,

and start down the corridor,

the air heavier with every step.

Then Xavier's voice cuts through it:

"John, I have waited so long for this, and now I can have it.

I know she's your daughter, but you made me a promise—to protect me. Remember?"

And my father sighs.

That's when I see the front door.

Freedom. Maybe.

Vince is walking toward me with Damien.

Damien meets my eyes, unreadable.

Vince mouths, Run.

So I run.

Heart pounding.

Feet slamming against the floor like they might break it.

Behind me—

"Isabella!"

Xavier's voice.

Raw. Wounded.

I stop.

Turn.

He's there.

Just standing.

Looking at me like I've shattered something he can't fix.

And I almost go back.

Almost.

But then I see Damien.

And I run faster.

The second I reach him, the world shifts.

Suddenly, the cold hall is gone.

There's soft light, the faint hum of a city alive with heartbeats.I look out the window.

"Paris? Seriously?" I ask, half breathless, half stunned.

Damien smirks as he says. "My dad doesn't come here.

Guess even death knows better than to mess with love."

I nod, and he says, "I'm going to go wash up. Why don't you lay down for a bit? I'll make you something to eat." I nod again as he leaves, and I step into the bathroom. The mirror reflects someone I barely recognize. I stare at myself, the questions swirling—why me?

He called me Isabella, like it meant I was his.

But I'm not.

I'm mine now.

They never warn you about the consequences of standing up to death. They never even try.

They're selfish. They're controlling. They thought I would be afraid, but in reality, they should be afraid.

Of who, you ask? Well… me, of course. After all…

I am the devil's granddaughter.

I was born to make my world break.

I was born to destroy those who are smaller than me.

I was born to make death weak.

I am Isabella Morningstar.

And it's about time people started to fear my name.

Especially HIM.