LOGINDaniel said nothing.Lina stared at him, waiting.“Dad?”His eyes moved from her to Fames.Then to the old document in Fames's hand.Finally, he sighed.“I signed it.”Lina felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath her.“You signed the first contract?”Daniel nodded.“Why?”“Because I thought I was protecting you.”Fames stepped forward.“What exactly did you sign?”Daniel looked at him.“The original agreement between the Rain, Reed, and Morgan families.”Fames's jaw tightened.“And my father?”“He signed it too.”“Why?”“Because we believed we had no other choice.”Lina shook her head.“Everyone keeps saying that.”Her voice cracked.“Everyone had a choice. You all just made decisions without telling me.”Daniel looked at his daughter.“I know.”“No, you don't.”She stepped closer.“You left me. Mom lied to me. Grandfather hid things from me. And now I find out that you and Fames's father created the contract that changed our lives.”Daniel lowered his eyes.“I am sorry.”“Sorry
Lina could not stop thinking about the last thing her mother had said.Your father is alive.The words followed her through the dark passage.Fames walked beside her, holding a small flashlight while Lucas and Elena followed behind them.Nobody spoke for several minutes.Finally, Lina stopped.“I need to know something.”Fames turned.“What?”“If we find my father, will you stay with me?”Fames looked at her as if the question surprised him.“Of course.”“What if he is dangerous?”“I'll still stay.”“What if he knows things about me that I don't know?”“Then we'll find out together.”Lina looked at him.“And if he tells me something you don't like?”Fames gave a small smile.“Then we'll deal with it.”She nodded.For the first time since they had entered the underground passages, she felt slightly calmer.They continued walking.The passage eventually opened into a large stone room.There was an old wooden table in the center and several empty chairs around it.Lucas looked around.“T
Lina could not breathe.Her father was alive.Her father was alive after all those years and lies and thinking he was gone.She found out the truth.He was alive.And her mother knew."Lina?"Fames's voice pulled her back.She looked at him."What?""You're shaking."She looked down at her hands.He was right.She quickly folded them together."I just can't believe my father is alive."Fames moved closer."We'll find him."Lina looked at him."You don't know that.""I do.""How?""Because we already found Noah, we found out about the contract, we're closer than ever."Lina gave a small laughed."Every time we think we're close, another secret appears.""I know.""And now my father."Fames nodded."Then we'll find him too."Behind them, Lucas looked towards the passage."We shouldn't stay here."Adrian agreed."your mother's warning means something.If Lina's father is alive, then there is a reason she told us not to believe everything he says."Lina looked at him."You heard her.""I
Lina looked at the empty doorway.Noah was gone.Again.Her grandfather was gone, too.The only thing left behind was the message on the floor.THE GUARDIAN HAS CHOSEN. NOW THE REAL WAR BEGINS.Fames picked up the message.His eyes scanned over the words before he crushed the paper in his hand."They planned this."Lina looked at him."Of course they did."Her voice was tired.She had reached the point where every answer only created another question.Her brother had disappeared.Her grandfather had taken him.Her mother knew more than she had admitted.And Fames had just made a choice that could put all of them in danger.Adrian walked towards the place where Noah had been standing."He didn't leave willingly."Lina turned to him."How do you know?""Because Noah would never leave without warning us."Fames looked around the room."There must be another passage."Adrian nodded."The old mansion has several.""Then find it."They searched the walls.Lucas ran his hands over the floor
"THE ORIGINAL HEIR IS MINE."She stared at the message on the paperHer fingers tightened their grip on the paperNoah was gone.One moment he was there, and the next, he'd mysteriously vanished away without a sound."Where did he go?" Lucas asked.Nobody responded.Fames looked towards the passage."He couldn't have gone far."Adrian shook his head."He wants us to find that message."Lina looked at him."What are you saying?"Adrian gestured towards the paper."Noah wants us to know that he was taken.""Then why would he leave the message?""Because he knew we would follow."Lina's stomach twisted."You mean this is a trap?""Probably."Fames folded the paper.“Then we don't follow.”Lina looked at him."What?"We don't know where Noah is or who has him. Walking back into another trap won't help."But he's my brother.""And you're exactly who they want to use to get to him."Lina stepped closer."So what do you expect me to do? Leave him?""No."Fames looked at her."We find another
'Now you remember.'The voice echoed in the darkness.Lina's breath caught in her throat.She turned around, trying to identify its source, but there was nothing in the darkness except the occasional creak of the furniture.'Who are you?' Fames demanded.There was no response.Then the lights flickered back on.And the voice was gone.The only evidence that the man had been in the room was the photograph on the table.Lina turned it over in her hands, staring at the young Fames beside her younger self."How could we have been together as children?""I don't remember this," Fames said, shaking his head."Neither do I,"Lina replied.Noah took the photograph from her hands."Someone has this part of your history wiped from your minds."Lucas narrowed his eyes."Both of you?"Noah nodded."Probably."Elena peered closely at the image."Look at the woman's hand."Lina leaned in.Her mother was clasping something against her chest.A small chain.It was instantly recognisable to Lina.Her







