druggedXavier povNo I tried to shout, But it was already too late. Caroline walked toward Elijah like a queen, full of fire and rage and vengeance wrapped in silk. I watched with anger bubbling through my chest, as they laughed a little, completely free with each other. “Damn the morals!”I moved, but Caroline was faster, she slid her hands Into Elijah’s, and together they stood up to dance.In front of everyone.In front of me.My hands wouldn’t stop shaking, Every step she took on that floor was a declaration of war.I watched the pair glide across the dance floor, laughing out loud like they had known each other for years. Carolien rested her head on his chest. a bitter taste of bile in my throat. I couldn’t believe my eyes.I stood at the edge of the ballroom, frozen in place, watching the woman I once thought I had figured out… turning into something I couldn’t fathom.Her eyes flicked to mine. My heart literally stopped. I expected to see a flicker of sorry, or guilt or
Xavier’s POVThe lights were blinding.But not as blinding as the burning ache in my chest.The crowd erupted into warm applause as we made our grand entrance. Joeline on my arm, Felix clutching my other hand, and my Mother practically trailing behind us, grinning from ear to ear like she was parading a damn royal court.Felix laughed, oblivious to the chaos and the tension hidden behind the haooy faces in the room. Not all were happy that I was cementing my position as the heir to my father's legacy. Especially the likes of my brother Elijah, but it still baffles me that he was yet to make a move. And that scares me even more.I scoped Felix in my hands, sharing in his sweet innocent smile that was like the only ray of sunshine in my dark world. His innocence was the only pure thing about tonight. I kissed the top of his head, forcing my lips into a smile, even though my whole body was on high tension and alertness.Joeline leaned in, whispering some sweet nonsense in my ear and
Expect warCaroline’s POVThe Johnson estate had never looked more regal and beautiful.Velvet drapes and glistening chandeliers lined the corridors. The already white sparkling marble was repolished to the point of perfection. The undual empty vast space of the estate was packed full of sleek and expensive cars. every corner of the mansion radiated grandeur and splendor.Laughter echoed in the air, orchestras played soft classical tunes, and the scent of exotic roses. All imported, hung heavily in the air like perfume.Everyone was dressed like royalty, all spotting a happy and joyous face, and yet… I felt like a ghost in a palace where everyone wears a mask.I smoothed the edges of my dark blue silk gown. I loved the way the fabric felt so cool and smooth under my skin. Elijah had picked this dress a few days ago, claiming it “brought out the steel in my eyes.” and ironically, i felt as if a thousand steell was pressed against my ribcage now.My insides continued to burn with an in
Brake inCaroline’s POVThe room was quiet, save for the sound of my shaky breathing. I slammed the door shut behind me and struggled to drag my tired, frail body to the bed before I collapsed on the floor. The weight of everything was too much, I pressed a hand to my forehead in a bid to stop the frantic headache that was shattering my skull. My chest felt hollow. Like someone had scooped out my insides and replaced them with dread.But all this didn't equal the coldness that had taken root inside me. It even gives me the creeps to think about it.The secret documents I had seen, The undeniable sigil of the Vortigan, and then worst of it the tattoo on the girl's arm.The girl in the pictures… the girl who looked like me. Same eyes. Same crooked smile. The same mark is inked into her skin like a brand.I fought another bout of nauseous feeling that was rising.How long had he known?My thoughts were spinning so fast, different theories and conclusions shaping itself like a dark sha
used, and betrayedCaroline’s POVThe moment Daphne stepped into the room, I knew immediately that something was off.Her face was flushed, hair slightly disheveled, and her cloak clinging oddly to her shoulders as if it had been thrown on in haste.“Where did you go?” I asked, sitting up front the bed. “Jesus, Caroline, you scared me” Daphne, who was sneakily entering the room, jumped in fear, grasping her heart.I tilted my head. It was now clear that something was definitely off. Plus her eyes…, it was darting around everywhere but me.“Interesting”She blinked a little too quickly, gathering herself. “Nowhere. Just got a little air. Then, I decided to stroll further into the night. This place gets stuffy sometimes.”A lie.It waffled off her body like a stinking stench, even a two year kid could identify easily that she lied.“Okhh, is that soo” I asked while smirking. “Then what are you holding?” “What?…oh this…it's nothing. It was just a piece of paper I had picked on my way
what are you doing here? Xavier’s POV The mansion was quiet. Too quiet, but that was a lot different from the chaos that was happening in my head. Memories of that one night wouldn't leave my mind, followed by the news that had struck fear in the whole country. Everyone was asleep, or at least pretending to be. But I couldn’t rest. Not with my mind on fire, and the trail of evidence that was looking bright this time. My feet carried me before my brain could process it. I went past the east corridor… past the halls filled with monumental portraits of the ancestors. The cold was crisp, but I pulled through, walking through the well trained and maintained forest until I stopped in front of a large oak tree that had thorns and shrubs all over it. Itt was the secret entrance to the forbidden wing.” I had come across it by accident when I was young, and till then, nobody else had discovered it. Rumor had that the forbidden wing contained ancient records, dark family secrets, and tr